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Strategies & Market Trends : Three Amigos Stock Thread -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Sergio H who wrote (16975)	10/13/1999 10:01:00 PM
From: pipick	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 29382

Sergio, thank you for your comments. I clearly have fundamental disagreements with Ken. Let me try to review what I understand about the v-chip issue as you've requested. For background sake, I've been studying this for 3 years. I also feel somewhat qualified to disucss this issue because I have several patents and know what it takes to protect technolgy. The v-chip (named v, because it stands for violence) is really not a "chip" at all. The "v-chip" as it was adopted by the FCC after Congress legislated its' existance in March of 1998, is really nothing more than a re-wiring of the existing closed caption circuitry already present in TV's. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEMA) came up with the "technical standards" for v-chip implementation for all OEM's who wished to sell TV's in the USA. This type of "technical standard" is common in the industry. Stereophonic sound and closed captioning were done in the same manner. The technical standard adopted by the FCC is an exact match with the patent that Soundview Technology licensed form Carl Elam several years ago. I believe if you contact the appropriate sources at the OEM's, you will find out that I am right. Let me also add that the v-chip, in my opinion, was 100% political. The OEM's and TV broadcasters fought this hard. Understandably, it would cost them money and they felt that the consumer would not be interested. I actually couldn't agree more with them. To me, it's a waste of time. BUT, it was mandated by the FCC and it is now law. 50% of all TV's needed to be v-chip compliant by July 1, 1999 and 100% by Jan. 1, 2000. Now let me get back to where the technology stands. Several people claimed to be the "v-chip inventor". However, the technology adopted by the FCC is an exact match with that of Soundview. Other tecnology is considered "add-on". For example, there are others who have developed software that can dowload a multiple ratings system. The USA adopted a single ratings system. Soundview is a technology company but based its' business on being able to license the v-chip patent to the WHOLE industry. With that in mind, Soundview management was approached by the best and most well known patent negotiation attornies in the United States ( Mr. Cummings and Mr. Hosier). These gentleman have taken this case on contingency and have done so for the last 3 years. They have executed a perfect business plan in my opinion. they very quietly let the FCC adopt the technology and have not said a word. It is now my understanding that an industry wide licensing agreement, (which by the way is very difficult to negotiate which is why it has taken so long), is imminent. (cont'd on next post)