Related Information and Events

What Convergence Isn't
by Chaz Austin, President, Austin Digital Media
Because computers and the Internet contain many of the attributes of the media that preceded them (they could be described as devices that deliver digital portable pictures and sound), it looks to Hollywood--I'm speaking of the major studios here--that what PC's essentially are are digital pictures and sound for one, on a small screen, in your home (or virtual) office instead of your living room.
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Record Labels' Answer to Napster Still Has Artists Feeling Bypassed
(The New York Times)
Last December, the major record labels responded with two Internet services of their own where fans pay monthly fees to download songs. Under this arrangement, however, the performers still don't get a dime: for each song downloaded, they stand to get only a fraction of a cent, according to the calculations of disgruntled managers and lawyers. And, artists and their managers say, the labels, like Napster, aren't putting the music online with proper permission either.
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Currently available from Larta: Hollywood Unstrung 2, The Emerging Digital Challenge: D-Cinema and Beyond
Larta's latest research report on digital technologies examines the future direction of digital cinema as well as other technologies influencing the entertainment industry including interactive entertainment, digital audio, and digital production.
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March 5: ctexpo
As it moves into its second decade, ctexpo continues to deliver comprehensive educational content on the industry's most innovative technologies. From beginners to the most advanced developers, the program will feature content designed to fill in the gaps. Delegates will learn how to harness convergent technologies. How to bring together the hardware, applications, products, services, builders and channel players. How convergence connects diverse technologies with different protocols, business models & strategies, and how to make them work.
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ctexpo Luncheon Session moderated by Rohit Shukla, Larta CEO: Convergence Meets Consumers: New Applications, New Challenges
The growth of Internet usage, broadband connectivity, and collaborative software has given way to a new, compelling and immersive multimedia experience for IT users, consumers and businesses alike. Internet telephony has led to increased sophistication in communications ("net meetings" for example), while the rapid spread of peer-to-peer networks has implications for collaboration on the Internet. The growing applicability of convergence technologies has opened up opportunities and created challenges for a range of players, from vendors to service providers and end users. This special luncheon session will feature a conversation between platform creators, web services providers and digital media experts, and an interactive session with the audience will follow.
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Other Articles

Innovation and Technology Transfer in Universities
by Steven B. Sample, President, University of Southern California
(Remarks made at the California Public Affairs Forum of the California Council on Science and Technology, Stanford Research Institute, Menlo Park, California)
Since the passage of the Bayh-Dole Act some 20 years ago, universities have certainly made progress in streamlining the tech-transfer process. But we still have a very long way to go. I don't believe most universities are making the commitment necessary to succeed in technology transfer. That is the subject of my remarks today–what precisely does such a commitment entail, and why do universities need to make it?
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Larta Events

March 7: Venture Salon
Larta's Venture Salon is the exclusive quarterly conference for the venture industry. This time, we feature the premiere of the 2002 Sand Dollar report and some selected, trained companies that best exemplify technology trends. Pricewaterhouse Coopers is partnering with Larta, and Larta's Sand Dollar Report (on venture investing in Southern California) will be published in collaboration with PwC's MoneyTree Report. Thursday, March 7 from 2 to 5:00 p.m. in Santa Monica. Attendance is very limited, and only accredited investors may attend.
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February 21: US-Japan Hi Tech Partnership 2002: Japan Meets the Nano Republic of California, Co-Produced by Larta
Join us for "Japan Meets the Nano Republic of California", a focused half-day event that brings leading business and research leaders from Japan and the Nano Republic for a practical discussion on current research and potential future business opportunities in nanotechnology. Two high-powered discussion panels will feature key figures and companies building the future of nanotechnology both here and abroad. Featured Keynote: Dr. Eiji Osawa, President of NanoCarbon Research Institute. February 21, 2002, 12:45 - 6:30 pm Torrance Marriott. Registration: Pre-registration is $60, at the door registration is $75.
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