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Technology Stocks : Gemstar Intl (GMST) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: drew_m who wrote (3146)	6/7/2000 7:33:00 PM
From: tayspop729	Respond to of 6516

My friend in the cable bizz sees GMST as a niche player that will have many many competitors. This contradicts my limited understanding of GMST's IPR. Drew, The IPG is going to be the #1 destination on your tv well before your friend's 2005 date for i-net ready cable boxes. GMST's patent portfolio, their partnerships with the equipment manufacturers and the licensing agreements they have with MSFT and AOL greatly diminishes the power of would-be competitors, IMO. Your friend apparently is excited about the number of internet-ready boxes that will be available in 5 years. I would think the dominant "portal" on one's tv would be equally exciting. I believe you know more than your cable bizz buddy. But then he probably thinks Yahoo is stuck in a niche, too. Regards, Scott

To: drew_m who wrote (3146)	6/8/2000 2:05:00 AM
From: NY Stew	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6516

Drew, I probably deserve 15 for piling-on to Scott's reply but am compelled to comment. My friend in the cable bizz sees GMST as a niche player that will have many many competitors. The TV Guide and GuidePlus IPG platforms may each obtain minority share in this market (an unlikely scenario IMO) however the leading competitors such as Microsoft, Sony and AOL are all long term and exclusive technology licensees. I am not aware of any material competition that is not either under contract, in negotiations with or are defendents in patent infringement litigations. Regards Stew