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Technology Stocks : Source Media SRCM -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: mpeg who wrote (428)	7/18/1998 8:04:00 PM
From: Pluvia	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 3015

mpeg - Here's The Real Deal With SRCM & GI Mpeg, Another excellent post! I do happen to disagree with you on several points. <<5. Is the GI deal a validation of the technology? I tent to think so given that GI is one of the two key players (with SA) in the new digital video+internet services, and they should know the MPEG technology inside out. >>> Please explain how the GI deal validates SRCM? GI has no "real" significantly different deal with SRCM than with other providers, although SRCM's press releases make it sound differently. I have found that to be a common disturbing trend with SRCM management's promotional "spin" of events. IMO it borderlines fraud. GI simply makes its boxes as open and useable by cable companies as possible. Here is the real deal with GI. GI provides a set of specifications that everybody develops for. GI provides support and testing for the developers. In some cases, GI does some development, but they charge for it. It is not a profit center, but it defers some of the costs. GI is careful not to support just anyone, as they don't want to waste time and effort. (from 10K) SRCM and "General Instruments have entered into an agreement to incorporate the Company's SourceWare operating system in its advanced-analog and digital set-top boxes." What you may not know, is they have similar agreements to incorporate software from Wink, Cablesoft, Worldgate and ACTV in their boxes. Also what you may not know is this. (from 10k) Although General Instruments has agreed to manufacture set-top boxes compatible with the Company's technology, General Instruments has not agreed to manufacture such units in any certain quantities. Thanks for your input - excellent ideas Steve

To: mpeg who wrote (428)	7/18/1998 9:05:00 PM
From: Sir Auric Goldfinger	Respond to of 3015

The real choke point patents are owned by ACRI, not SCRM nor MSFT. The company, Acacia Research owns a large stake in two intellectual property companies: Soundview and Greenwich Technologies. Since I detect that both mpeg (relevent name, btw) and Pluvia are adept at patent searches, they and anyone else so inclined, should take a look at the patents assigned to this company and the history. I am not a patent expert, but I think you will find some all encompassing bullet proof patents here that some, as all the mini-mo's on these boards say, "big boys' have already made some serious payments on. ACRI is publicly traded and worth some due diligence. It will not be easy as the company keeps a low profile. You heard it here first and we shall see the truth in a year or two. That is all for now.