Silicon Valley Wire

Shares of Palo Alto-Based Affymax Soar Following $92.5 Million IPO

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Shares of Palo Alto-based Affymax rose nearly 30% by late Friday after the biopharmaceutical firm priced its $92.5 million initial public offering (IPO). The company priced its 3.7 million shares at $25 each -- both higher than its expectations of 3.5 million shares at $22-$24 each. Trading under the symbol "AFFY" on the Nasdaq Global Market, company shares were trading at around $32.50 late Friday. Affymax's lead product candidate, Hematide, is designed to treat anemia ssociated with chronic kidney disease and cancer.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061214/sfth082.html?.v=60
http://www.affymax.com/

Redwood City-Based Seven Raises $42 Million, Hires New CEO

Redwood City, Calif. -- Seven, a Redwood City-based maker of mobile email software, said that it has raised $42 million in new funding and named Ross Bott as its new CEO, effective Jan. 1. Current CEO Kent Thexton will assume the title of executive chairman. The company said that the capital, which will help accelerate its growth, came from both new and previous investors. In 2006, Seven grew its customer base from 76 to 108 mobile operators in more than 60 countries. Bott, a 28-year technology industry veteran, has been a member of the company's board since 2002. He previously served as the CEO of mobile messaging startup Onebox.com prior to the company's 2001 acquisition by Phone.com (now Openwave). Bott then became the COO of Phone.com. Seven makes software that allows mobile operators, email providers and service providers to offer subscribers access to business and personal email applications.
http://www.seven.com/news/press_releases/SEVENGrowsLeadershipTeam.html

Mountain View-Based Google Launches Test of Patent Search Service

Mountain View, Calif. -- Mountain View-based Google has announced the test launch of a new service that searches the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's database of over 7 million U.S. patents. The company said that its Google Patent Search will simplify the process of accessing public domain government information. The service uses the same technology that powers Google Book Search, and will let users scroll through pages and zoom in on text and illustrations.
http://www.google.com/press/annc/patents.html
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/12/now-you-can-search-for-us-patents.html

TiVo: Top 10 Most Unforgettable TV Moments of 2006

Alviso, Calif. -- TiVo, the Alviso-based provider of digital video recorders and subscription services, has revealed its list of the 10 most memorable TV moments of 2006, as compiled through a survey the company commissioned from pollster Synovate. Katie Couric's last day on NBC's "Today Show" took the top spot, followed by Mel Gibson's interview with Diane Sawyer after his DUI arrest and Oprah's interview with author James Frey. Other memorable TV moments on the list included the "Will & Grace" series finale and Connie Chung's piano-top serenade of Maury Povich.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061214/sfth005.html?.v=79
http://www.tivo.com

Report: Global Online Video Sales to Reach $1.5 Billion in 2007

Boston -- Online sales of TV shows, movies and other pre-recorded video programming are expected to grow from $298 million this year to $1.5 billion in 2007, according to a report from market research firm Strategy Analytics. By 2010, the firm predicts, global revenue from online video sales, rentals and subscriptions will surge to $5.9 billion. "2007 will be remembered as the year in which online sales of prerecorded video finally become a real business," said Martin Olausson, a senior analyst for Strategy Analytics. "Just like with music, online delivery of video content is now emerging as a viable and increasingly important distribution channel for content owners." The firm said major players including Wal-Mart, Time Warner and Netflix are expected to launch services in the near future to compete with Apple's iTunes Store in the online video market.
http://www.strategyanalytics.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061213/20061213005850.html?.v=1

Pleasanton-Based Mercado Raises $11.5 Million in New Funding

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Mercado Software, a Pleasanton-based maker of e-commerce search, navigation and merchandising software, said on Thursday that it has raised $11.5 million in a new round of funding that will help it expand into new markets next year. New investors The Challenge Fund and Consensus Group joined previous investors Pitango Venture Capital, Eucalyptus, Star Ventures and Valley Venture Capital in the round, which includes a line of credit from Lighthouse Capital Partners. Mercado's clients include Sears, Williams-Sonoma, JCPenney, Macy's, ShopNBC and OfficeMax.
http://www.mercado.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061214/20061214005254.html?.v=1

Milpitas-Based IP Unity to Acquire Glenayre Messaging

Milpitas, Calif. -- A group of investors behind IP Unity, a Milpitas-based provider of media servers, application servers and multimedia applications, has agreed to acquire Glenayre Message, a messaging technology division of Atlanta-based Glenayre Technologies. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. After the close of the acquisition, expected to occur within 30 days, IP Unity and Glenayre Message will be combined under the name IP Unity Glenayre. The company will have operations in Georgia, Illinois, California, Singapore and India.
http://www.ip-unity.com/news/releases/110706.html

Menlo Park-Based SRI International to Establish Major Research Center in Virginia

Menlo Park, Calif. -- SRI International, a Menlo Park-based non-profit research institute, said on Thursday that it will establish its new Center for Advanced Drug Research (CADRE) in Virginia. The decision came following a $22 million funding commitment by the state, including $3 million during fiscal 2006 to initiate the project. The facility will partner with James Madison University and other local institutions in its research efforts, and expects to hire more than 100 new workers by the end of its first decade of operation. SRI said that it also plans to add other high-tech programs in areas such as homeland security, engineering, nanotechnology, energy, information technology and education at the site. SRI was founded in 1946 as the Stanford Research Institute.
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=303

Research Firm Disputes Report, Says iTunes Sales Are Surging

Cupertino, Calif. -- Contradicting an earlier report from rival Forrester Research, comScore Media Metrix said on Thursday that revenue from Cupertino-based Apple's iTunes music download service rose by 84% during the first three quarters of 2006, compared with the previous year. The firm attributed the increase to a 67% jump in the number of iTunes buying transactions, as well as a 10% increase in the dollars spent per transaction. "As Mark Twain might have said, the rumors of iTunes' death have been greatly exaggerated," said Gian Fulgoni, the chairman of comScore Networks. A separate report released by Forrester earlier this week said that iTunes sales fell 65% during the first half of this year. comScore’s findings align closely with a report from analyst Gene Munster of the investment banking firm Piper Jaffray, who wrote in a research report that the number of songs sold per week on iTunes had risen 78% in the first nine months of 2006.
http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=1134
http://www.forrester.com/go?docid=40858

MySpace Overtakes Yahoo as Most-Visited Site in U.S.

Los Angeles -- News Corp.'s web sites, which include the MySpace social network, overtook Sunnyvale-based Yahoo's network as the most-visited sites by U.S. users during November, according to audience data from comScore Media Metrix. Total visits to Fox Interactive Media sites for the month totaled 39.5 million, up from 38.7 million in October, while Yahoo's page view tally fell from 41.6 million in October to 38.1 million in November. Yahoo told Reuters that a transition to more "Web 2.0" technologies eliminated the need for as many page views, causing the downturn. The company also argued that it still has a larger audience and serves far more ads on its sites than does News Corp. Fox Interactive Media said its rise in page view totals could be attributed to the 200% growth in MySpace traffic over the past year, as well as to users seeking information on new video game consoles from its IGN.com destination.
http://www.comscore.com/metrix

Google Launches Program to Let Employees Sell Stock Options Early

Mountain View, Calif. -- Mountain View-based Google has announced plans to allow its employees to sell their vested stock options earlier than normal, through a relatively unorthodox private auction model that will be managed by Morgan Stanley. The change will increase the cost of providing options for Google, which will launch the program in the second quarter of 2007. Under the plan, financial institutions are expected to purchase the options, then hold them until maturity and settle with Google. "The goal is quite simple. It is to increase the perceived value of the option to the employee," David Rolefson, Google's manager of equity and compensation, told Reuters.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061212/20061212006229.html?.v=1
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/12/about-transferable-stock-options.html
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=ousiv&storyID=2006-12-13T132122Z_01_N12381471_RTRIDST_0_BUSINESSPRO-GOOGLE-OPTIONS-DC.XML&from=business

San Mateo-Based Nayio Lets Users Hum Tunes to Identify Songs

San Mateo, Calif. -- San Mateo-based Nayio Media said that it has launched its melody-based music search tool, which can identify tunes consumers hum into a computer's microphone. The web-based service cross-references the hummed tune with Napster's library of more than 3 million songs and delivers a list of potential matches, each accompanied by a direct link to where consumers can listen to the songs for free on Napster. "To date, digital music technology development has focused on compression and sound quality," said Jay Bose, the COO and general manager of Nayio Media. "Our … technology focuses instead on ascertaining the unique 'genetic' structure of any given piece of music." Nayio's humming identification service has been available since 2003 in South Korea for SK Telecom mobile subscribers.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061213/20061213005257.html?.v=1
http://www.nayio.com

San Jose-Based Atmel to Cut 300 Jobs, Sell Two Plants

San Jose, Calif. -- Shares of San Jose-based semiconductor maker Atmel rose nearly 12% on Wednesday after the company announced plans to cut 300 non-manufacturing jobs, and eliminate 1,000 more by selling off a pair of wafer fabrication facilities. The company said that the moves will save it $70-$80 million next year and $80-$95 million annually by 2008. About $55 million a year will be the result of selling European facilities in U.K. and Germany. Atmel said that some of the jobs earmarked for cuts will be eliminated through voluntary resignations and attrition. The company said that it will be able to meet customer needs through the use of its internal capacity, in addition to help from foundry partners. Atmel also plans to sign a sourcing deal with the eventual buyers of its facilities. "While this decision was difficult given the company's many dedicated employees, these actions are essential to better position Atmel to compete and drive value for our shareholders," said Steven Laub, Atmel's president and CEO.
http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=atml&script=410&layout=-6&item_id=941657

Livermore-Based Novazone Raises $7 Million in Second Round

Livermore, Calif. -- Novazone, a Livermore-based developer of clean technology designed to make food and water fresher and safer, said on Wednesday that it has raised $7 million in its second round of funding, led by new investor Chrysalix Energy. Previous investors Foundation Capital and Grauer Capital also participated in the round, which the company plans to use for working capital, as well as to develop new products. Novazone's ozone-based technology is used in such applications as cold storage and disinfection. Clients include Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, Safeway, Colgate-Palmolive and Procter & Gamble.
http://www.novazone.com/
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061213/20061213005887.html?.v=1

Santa Clara-Based Agilent Technologies Closes Acquisition of PXIT

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Agilent Technologies, the Santa Clara-based provider of test and measurement technology said that it has completed its acquisition of PXIT, a Massachusetts-based provider of signal testing products for broadband optical transceiver manufacturers. Financial terms of the deal, first announced last month, were not disclosed. Agilent said that the acquisition will allow it to increase its offerings for the manufacturing test market. All of PXIT's Massachusetts-based employees have accepted job offers with Agilent.
http://www.agilent.com/about/newsroom/presrel/2006/13dec-gp06040.html

Menlo Park-Based Opus Capital Leads $10 Million Round for Kidaro

Menlo Park, Calif. -- Opus Capital, a Menlo Park-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology companies, has led a new $10 million funding round for Kidaro, a New York-based provider of virtual desktop computing technology. Other investors in the deal include Genesis Partners and Storm Ventures. Kidaro's technology supports computing across a physically dispersed workforce, including mobile users and home workers, as well as outsourcing and offsite facilities. The company was founded in 2005.
http://www.kidaro.com/?CategoryID=185

U.S. Information Technology Employment Resumes Growth in November

Alexandria, Va. -- Following the first pullback of U.S. information technology employment in more than a year in October, IT employment resumed its climb in November, according to new figures released on Wednesday by the National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses (NACCB). The industry group said that there were nearly 3.7 million IT workers last month, up about a tenth of a percentage point from the previous month and nearly 4% higher than November 2005. The NACCB compiles its figures by studying the ongoing staffing patterns of a dozen IT and computer related occupations in 16 industries and industry sectors.
http://www.naccb.org/employment-index/index.cfm

Report: 78% of Active U.S. Internet Users Now Have Broadband at Home

New York -- More than three-quarters of active Internet users in the U.S. now have broadband access at home, according to a new report from Nielsen//NetRatings. The firm said that 78% of home Internet users connect through broadband hook-ups, primarily either cable or DSL. The figure is up 13% from a year ago. The report also found that broadband users stay online 33% longer than dial-up users, surfing for an average of 34 hours, 50 minutes in November and viewing twice as many web pages. 
http://netratings.com/press.jsp

Menlo Park-Based Depomed Lands $30 Million Financing Commitment

Menlo Park, Calif. -- Depomed, a Menlo Park-based specialty pharmaceutical firm, said on Tuesday that it has received a commitment for up to $30 million in equity funding from Azimuth Opportunity. Under the deal, Depomed said that it will be able to draw on the funds at its discretion over the next 24 months. "The equity line provides us financial flexibility to raise capital if needed in order to maintain a strong balance sheet," said John Fara, the chairman, president and CEO of Depomed. "This financial commitment is an important resource as we develop a strong pipeline of products that will compete in large growing markets." Depomed is developing drugs based on its own extended release drug delivery technology, which allows patients to take one dose a day with reduced side effects.
http://www.shareholder.com/depomedinc/invrel_newsdetail.cfm?ReleaseID=221753

Palo Alto-Based HP to Acquire Knightsbridge Solutions

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Hewlett-Packard, the Palo Alto-based technology giant, said on Tuesday that it has signed a deal to acquire Knightsbridge Solutions, a Chicago-based provider of information management services focused on business intelligence, data warehousing, data integration and information quality. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close within 30 days, when Knightsbridge will be integrated into HP Services within the company'sTechnology Solutions Group. Knightsbridge has 700 employees.
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2006/061212a.html

Menlo Park-Based Silver Lake Partners in Deal to Acquire Travelocity Parent

Menlo Park, Calif. -- Silver Lake Partners, a Menlo Park-based private equity firm, said on Tuesday that it will team with Texas Pacific Group to acquire Sabre Holdings, the parent company of Sabre Travel Network, Sabre Airline Solutions and online travel site Travelocity, for about $5 billion. Sabre's stockholders still need to approve the deal, which is expected to close by mid-2007. Sabre said that it does not expect changes to its current executive management team and that its corporate headquarters will remain in Texas.
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=73098&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=941450

San Carlos-Based DemandTec Acquires Pleasanton's TradePoint Solutions

San Carlos, Calif. -- DemandTec, a San Carlos-based provider of merchandising, sales and marketing software to retailers and consumer products manufacturers, said on Tuesday that it has acquired Pleasanton-based TradePoint Solutions, a maker of deal management software, for an undisclosed sum. TradePoint's software, which links manufacturers, sales agencies and retailers on one platform, will now be marketed under the DemandTec TradePoint name. TradePoint had raised a totalof $6 million in funding, including a $2.5 million round led by Southcoast Capital in March 2005.
http://www.demandtec.com/news/press2006/news_rel_121206_TradeP.html

Business Software Alliance Settles with Burlington, Payless

Washington, DC -- The Business Software Alliance (BSA), a watchdog group representing some of the nation's leading software manufacturers, said that it has received nearly half a million dollars in software piracy settlements from department store chain Burlington Coat Factory and discount shoe chain, Payless ShoeSource. The BSA said that Burlington paid $300,000 to settle claims that it had unlicensed copies of Microsoft and McAfee software programs installed on its computers. Payless, meanwhile paid more than $124,000 to settle claims that it had unlicensed copies of Adobe, Autodesk, Borland, Internet Security Systems, McAfee and Symantec software programs installed on its computers. The BSA said that about one-fifth of software in the U.S. is unlicensed. The organization is now offering rewards of up to $200,000 for qualifying reports received through its hotline or online reporting form. BSA members include such Bay Area stalwarts as Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, Borland, McAfee and Symantec.
http://www.bsa.org/usa/ 

Santa Clara-Based CIGNEX Technologies Secures New Round of Funding

Santa Clara, Calif. -- CIGNEX Technologies, a Santa Clara-based developer of open source content management software, said on Tuesday that it has raised a new round of funding from Apar Investments and Basil International Investments, both based in the British Virgin Islands, and Honorex Investments Holdings, based in Mauritius. Financial details of the round were not disclosed. The company said that it will use the new capital to fund its continued growth, including its expansion of services, sales and marketing activities. CIGNEX said that it has more than 60 customers.
http://www.cignex.com/site/company/news/press/inv_1206

Sunnyvale-Based Harmonic Completes Acquisition of Entone's Software Business

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Harmonic, a Sunnyvale-based provider of digital video, broadband optical networking and IP delivery systems to network operators, said on Monday that it has completed its $45 million acquisition of San Mateo-based Entone Technologies' video networking software business. The deal, first announced in August, included $26 million in cash, with the remainder in stock. Harmonic said that combining its technology with Entone's software will allow it to provide an advanced delivery system to cable, satellite and Internet TV service providers.
http://www.harmonicinc.com/ah_press_release_text.cfm?ID=647

Bob Wayman to Retire as CFO of Palo Alto-Based Hewlett-Packard

Palo Alto, Calif. -- After recently losing several key executives to its spying scandal, Palo Alto-based Hewlett-Packard said on Monday that it is about to lose another to retirement. Bob Wayman, the company's executive vice president and CFO, will step down Dec. 31. He will be succeeded by Cathie Lesjak, HP's treasurer and senior vice president. Wayman, 61, joined HP in 1969 as a cost accountant and held a variety of finance positions before being named CFO in 1984. He served as interim chief executive officer in 2005 prior to the appointment of Mark Hurd. Wayman will retain his seat on HP's board until the company's 2007 annual stockholders’ meeting in March, but will not stand for re-election. Lesjak, 47, has served since 2003 in her current role, in which she is responsible for managing the company's cash, debt, foreign exchange, capital structure, risk management and benefit-plan administration.
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2006/061211c.html

KPCB Invests $5 Million in San Mateo-Based Aggregate Knowledge

Menlo Park, Calif. -- Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers (KPCB), a Menlo Park-based venture capital firm, said on Monday that it has invested $5 million in San Mateo-based Aggregate Knowledge, a developer of technology used on retail and media sites that seeks out items based on the behavior of others on a site. It was the company's first funding round. "By tapping into the collective behavior of site visitors, our `discovery services' enable consumers to quickly identify products and content which they will find most interesting," said Paul Martino, the president and CEO of Aggregate Knowledge. Similar systems are used in sites such as Amazon and Netflix.
http://www.aggregateknowledge.com/
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061211/20061211005421.html?.v=1

Report: Venture Capital Investments on Track to Hit Five-Year High

San Francisco -- With more than $25 billion invested after the first three quarters of this year, venture capital activity in the U.S., Europe, China and Israel is poised to hit a five-year high, according to a a new report by San Francisco-based Dow Jones VentureOne and Ernst & Young. The firms said that the investment total is expected to top $32 billion for the year, even though global deal flow may fall short of a year ago. The firms said that the venture capital market has seen strong growth in new markets such as China, as well as in emerging industries, such as the burgeoning "cleantech" segment and Web 2.0. "Once again, this year has shown that venture capital follows a cyclical pattern with the cycle ramping back up in 2006 in conjunction with a new wave of global activity," said Steve Harmston, the director of global research at VentureOne.
http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/061211/110153.html
http://www.ventureone.com/

IT Executives Expecting Solid Growth in First Quarter Hiring

Menlo Park, Calif. -- Sixteen percent of executives polled in a new survey anticipate increased information technology hiring during the first quarter of 2007, according to Menlo Park-based Robert Half Technology. Combined with the 2% who anticipate cutbacks, the net 14% hiring increase marks the highest figure since the fourth quarter of 2001, and 4% highest than a quarter ago. The national poll includes responses from more than 1,400 CIOs from a random sample of U.S. companies with 100 or more employees.  Respondents reported business growth as the leading reason for increased IT hiring, and said that Windows administration skills are the greatest in demand.
http://www.roberthalftechnology.com/portal/site/rht-us/template.PAGE/menuitem.8e8f9ba1fb1aaad656932a0202f3dfa0/?javax.portlet.tpst=392cb099d6a955fd8bbe7a8902f3dfa0&javax.portlet.prp_392cb099d6a955fd8bbe7a8902f3dfa0_releaseId=1759&javax.portlet.prp_392cb099d6a955fd8bbe7a8902f3dfa0_request_type=RenderPressRelease&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

Santa Clara-Based Artimi Raises $26.5 Million in Second Round

Santa Clara, Calif. -- Artimi, a Santa Clara-based developer of wireless semiconductors for portable consumer electronics, said on Monday that it has raised $26.5 million in its second round of funding, co-led by previous investors Accel Partners, Amadeus Capital Partners and Index Ventures. Previous investor Oak Investment Partners and new investor Bank of Scotland Growth Equity also participated in the round, which increased the company's total backing to $45 million. The four-year-old company said that it will use the new capital to expand production, as well as increase its sales and marketing activities. Artimi's semiconductors, software and reference designs are used in consumer electronics devices with high-speed bulk data transfer and low power consumption, such as storage devices, digital cameras, camcorders, MP3 players, PDAs and mobile phones.
http://artimi.com/news.php?pressrelease=000024

Palo Alto-Based Accelergy Lands Second Round of Funding

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Accelergy, a Palo Alto-based provider of research and development services focused on advanced materials utilized in the energy markets, said on Monday that it has raised an undisclosed amount in its second round of funding. Goldman Sachs led the round, which also included participation from Sequoia Capital China, Lux Capital and previous investors Nth Power, Technology Partners, Mobius VC and Advent International. Accelergy works with businesses to develop more efficient and cost effective technologies for the production of environmentally friendly fuels and petrochemicals.
http://www.accelergy.com/accelergy_news_01.htm

Mountain View-Based Google Launches Test of Radio Ad Service

Mountain View, Calif. -- Mountain View-based Google has launched a beta test of its Google Audio Ads service, which lets marketers use the company's automated system to purchase ads on U.S. radio stations, CNET News.com reported. The service utilizes technology from dMarc Broadcasting, which was acquired by Google last year. Ryan Steelberg, Google's head of radio operations and a co-founder of dMarc, told News.com that the test is being limited to 20 advertisers and 730 radio stations, including XM Satellite Radio. The first Google Radio Ads are now running in more than 260 metropolitan markets, Steelberg added. The company is also testing a service that produces radio ads for inexperienced marketers.
http://news.com.com/Google+tunes+into+radio+ads/2100-1024_3-6141908.html

Menlo Park-Based Protiviti Launches New Unit, Acquires Enspier Technologies

Menlo Park, Calif. -- Protiviti, a Menlo Park-based provider of business and technology risk consulting and internal audit services, said on Monday that its newly formed public sector unit has acquired Enspier Technologies, a Virginia-based provider of technology and consulting services to government clients. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Enspier will retain its name and continue to be based in its current location, with all of its 57 employees retaining their jobs. The new Virginia-based unit, called Protiviti Government Services, will cater to federal, state and local government clients. The company said that the acquisition will enhance its offerings that help clients bolster their identity management processes and better utilize online and security-related technologies.
http://www.protiviti.com/portal/site/pro-us/?epi_menuItemID=60e54750f40fd1557a2ff891a7cebfa0&epi_menuID=238588dcdbae11847a2ff891a7cebfa0&epi_baseMenuID=e895a64d2cd7bc72af03a975a7cebfa0

Sunnyvale-Based NetApp Acquires Santa Clara's Topio for $160 Million

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Network Appliance (NetApp), a Sunnyvale-based developer of storage technologies, said on Friday that it has acquired Santa Clara-based Topio, a maker of software designed to help users replicate, recover and protect data, for $160 million in cash. NetApp said the acquisition expands its capabilities in the areas of data protection, data migration and data cloning. The company said that Topio will become a new Data Replication business unit, and its research and development team will continue to operate in Israel. The two companies originally announced plans for the deal in early November.
http://www.netapp.com/news/press/news_rel_20061208

S.F.-Based Pay By Touch Acquires S&H Solutions for More than $100 Million

San Francisco -- Pay By Touch, a San Francisco-based developer of biometric authentication and payment technologies, said that it has acquired Florida-based S&H Solutions and parent S&H greenpoints for more than $100 million in cash and stock. S&H Solutions is a developer of customer loyalty marketing services, including its greenpoints Reward Program, the digital evolutions of the original S&H Green Stamps. The program rewards millions of consumers with points for every dollar they spend at participating merchants. Pay By Touch called the acquisition "the perfect strategic fit."
http://www.paybytouch.com/portal/site/main/menuitem.4124f653a8f45108e9a51010292041a0/?vgnextoid=34bda85701d3f010VgnVCM1000003315140aRCRD

San Francisco-Based BitTorrent Acquires uTorrent

San Francisco -- A week after announcing that it has landed $20 million in new funding, San Francisco-based BitTorrent, a provider of peer-to-peer file-sharing technology, said on Friday that it has paid an undisclosed amount to acquire uTorrent, a lightweight implementation of the BitTorrent protocol. BitTorrent said that it plans to integrate some of its content delivery technology into the uTorrent client. The company said that the move will accelerate its plans to provide content delivery services to web sites looking to distribute large, high-quality files, as well as strengthen the adoption of its technology in embedded systems, including televisions, mobile phones and other non-PC platforms. Together, the combined install base now exceeds 135 million worldwide. "BitTorrent recognizes µTorrent’s exceptionally well-written codebase and robust user community,” said "Ludvig Strigeus, the developer of uTorrent, clearly put a significant amount of time into optimizing the client, which has already been widely adopted by the BitTorrent community as a safe and efficient implementation of the BitTorrent protocol," said Bram Cohen, the CEO of BitTorrent.
http://www.bittorrent.com/Plone/press/bittorrent-acquires-utorrent/

Google to Power Video-Sharing, Other Web Services for BSkyB

Mountain View, Calif. -- British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB), the News Corp.-owned U.K. satellite broadcaster, said that it has partnered with Mountain View-based Google to offer web-based services to Sky's broadband Internet customers. Under the deal, Sky will launch a multi-platform user-generated video portal powered by Google, and offer Sky Broadband customers services like Google Mail. Google will also power search and provide targeted search advertising across Sky's portfolio of web sites. The company also said that they will explore offering Google's VoIP, enhancing storage and offering other forms of web, TV and mobile advertising.
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=104016&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=939641&highlight=
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/06122006/80-91/bskyb-google-team.html

Nintendo Cautions Safety With Wii Remote After Broken TV Reports

San Francisco -- Nintendo has cautioned owners of its new Wii video game console to keep their hands dry and a tight grip on the device's motion-sensing controller after reports that some have lost grip and damaged nearby televisions and other objects when the controller went flying, Reuters reported. A site called WiiHaveAProblem.com has chronicled problems including 13 broken controller wrist straps, seven televisions and two laptops. Nintendo confirmed for Reuters that "extreme motion" could snap the wrist strap, and advised on its website that gamers should "hold the remote securely and avoid excessive motion during game play. If your hands become moist, stop and dry your hands." The company also advised players to remove any fragile objects nearby and stay three feet away from the television while using the motion controller.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?view=CN&storyID=2006-12-07T012643Z_01_N06463450_RTRIDST_0_NINTENDO.XML&rpc=66&type=qcna
http://www.wiihaveaproblem.com
http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/wiisafety.jsp

Palo Alto-Based HP to Pay $14.5 Million in Spying Settlement

Palo Alto, Calif. --  Three months after initial reports of the company's internal spying scandal, Palo Alto-based Hewlett-Packard has reached a civil settlement with the California attorney general's office. Under the deal, HP will pay $14.5 million and implement a series of measures designed to ensure that its internal investigations are conducted in accordance with California law. All but $1 million of the settlement will be used to create a fund that will assist state prosecutors in investigating and prosecuting consumer privacy and information piracy violations. The settlement doesn't affect the felony criminal charges brought against former Chairman Patricia Dunn and four others. All of pleaded not guilty. The state alleges that investigators working for the company lied to obtain the phone records of board members and reporters as they tried to locate the source of internal news leaks.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061207/20061207005791.html?.v=1

Campbell-Based Atrua Raises $9 Million in Fourth Round of Funding

Campbell, Calif. -- Atrua Technologies, a Campbell-based developer of control technologies for mobile devices, said on Thursday that it has raised $9 million in its fourth round of funding, co-led by previous investor BlueRun Ventures and new investor Hua Hong Group of China. Ericsson Venture Partners, Neocarta Ventures, Osprey Ventures and Mosen Company also participated. Launched in 2000, Atrua makes controls that utilize haptic (human touch) processing to convert finger movements into user commands. The company's technology is used in mobile phones, handheld games and other personal electronic devices.
http://www.atrua.com/press_release_12-07-2006.html

CNET Editor James Kim Found Deceased in Rural Oregon

San Francisco -- The body of James Kim, an editor at San Francisco-based technology publisher CNET who had been missing with his family in rural Oregon for 11 days, was found on Wednesday, CNET News.com reported. The wife and two children of 35-year-old Kim were rescued on Monday, at which time authorities launched an intensified search for James Kim that included plans to drop care packages in areas Kim was believed to have traveled in search of help. The family left San Francisco for a Thanksgiving holiday trip through the Pacific Northwest, and a search began after Kim and 30-year-old wife Kati missed appointments on Nov. 28. Kim was a senior editor at CNET who covered digital audio, and was writing a book on Microsoft's Zune player. He had also been a presenter on the now-defunct TechTV network. CNET said it received hundreds of messages bearing condolences on Wednesday following news of Kim's death.
http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-6141498.html
http://www.jamesandkati.com

Technology Crossover Ventures Company Travelport to Acquire Worldspan

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Travelport, a New York-based operator of travel distribution businesses partially owned by Palo Alto-based Technology Crossover Ventures, said that it plans to acquire Worldspan, an Atlanta-based provider of travel technology services for travel suppliers, travel agencies, e-commerce sites and corporations. The deal values Worldspan at $1.4 billion. Travelport loaned $125 million to Worldspan as part of a recapitalization plan, and one of its parents -- which one was not disclosed -- also loaned Worldspan another $125 million. Travelport is also partially owned by The Blackstone Group of New York.
http://worldspan.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=340

Report: Internet Movie Downloads, Rentals to Hit 60 Million by 2010

Dublin, Ireland -- The market for movies distributed over the Internet is projected to grow from an estimated 9.5 million downloads this year to nearly 60 million by 2010, according to a new report from Research and Markets. The firm said that revenue could grow from about $37 million this year to $534 million by 2010. Still, that figure would represent just an estimated 2% of home video revenues for the year. Research and Markets said that the single biggest factor holding back Internet movie sales is "Hollywood's reluctance to allow films to be sold over the Web so that they can ultimately be viewed on TVs," adding that existing technologies are "too complex for most consumers."
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c46547

Sunnyvale-Based Yahoo to Overhaul Corporate Structure, Management

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Shares of Sunnyvale-based Yahoo fell more than 2% on Wednesday after the Internet company announced a sweeping reorganization in the face of dwindling market share. Under the plan, CFO Susan Decker will leave her post to head the company's new Advertising & Publisher Group, which will focus on increasing Yahoo's ad revenue. The promotion positions Decker as a possible future replacement for CEO Terry Semel. Two other top executives, COO Daniel Rosensweig and Yahoo Media Group chief Lloyd Braun, will leave the company. Yahoo will also overhaul its corporate structure, dividing its operations into three core groups focused on its audience, advertising network and technology.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061205/20061205006257.html?.v=1

San Mateo-Based Wikia Lands Investment from Amazon.com

San Mateo, Calif. -- Wikia, a San Mateo-based site that allows users to share information, news, stories, media and opinions that fall outside the scope of an encyclopedia, said on Wednesday that it has received a new investment from Amazon.com. The size of the round, the company's second, was not disclosed. Wikia, co-founded in 2004 by Jimmy Wales, the founder of popular open source encyclopedia Wikipedia founder, said that the new capital will help it to expand its range of topics, as well as its geographical scope. The company also plans to enhance the software that runs both Wikipedia and Wikia with improved usability, spam prevention and community management features. Separately, Wikia said that it has agreed to acquire online sports community ArmchairGM in a deal valued at more than $2 million. Wikia received $4 million in its first round earlier this year.
http://www.wikia.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061206/20061206005298.html?.v=1
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061206/20061206005461.html?.v=1

S.F.-Based Common Sense Media Lands $4.25 Million Funding Commitment

San Francisco -- Common Sense Media, a San Francisco-based organization focused on  improving the impact of the media on kids and families, said on Wednesday that Omidyar Network has committed to investing $4.25 million in the organization over the next three years. The new capital will support general operating expenses for Common Sense, as it moves toward a self-sustaining business model. Under the model, the organization earns income through the distribution of its entertainment reviews, as well as its user and community generated content.
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/news/press-releases.php?id=37

Mountain View-Based Goodmail Systems Lands $12 Million in Funding

Mountain View, Calif. -- Goodmail Systems, a Mountain View-based developer of email delivery systems for volume senders, said that it has secured $12 million in a new round of funding led by new investor SoftBank Capital. Previous investors DCM and Emergence Capital Partners also participated. The company said that the investment will allow it to expand its market presense and customer base. Goodmail's core service certifies emails, allowing recipients to know that they're legitimate and safe to open. The service, known for its blue-ribbon envelope icon, has the blessings of major ISPs, including AOL and Yahoo.
http://www.goodmailsystems.com/news/pressrelease120506f.php

Weblogs Founder Jason Calacanis Joins Menlo Park's Sequoia Capital

Menlo Park, Calif. --  Dot-com veteran Jason Calacanis, the co-founder of Weblogs Inc. who recently left his position running AOL's Netscape division, said late Tuesday that he has joined Menlo Park-based venture capital firm Sequoia Capital as an "entrepreneur in action." Such roles are usually taken by entrepreneurs who plan to work on their own start-up companies while advising the firm on other investments. "At the end of the day I'm an entrepreneur -- that's what I'm good at; starting companies," said Calacanis. "Now, I just have to figure out what to build." Calacanis resigned from AOL in mid-November after the company replaced Chairman and CEO Jonathan Miller with Randy Falco. He had joined AOL in 2005 after the Time Warner unit acquired Weblogs for $25 million. Sequoia has previously backed companies such as YouTube and Google.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/061205/20061205006229.html?.v=1
http://www.sequoiacap.com   

Nanotech Investments to Exceed $650 Million in '06; Exits Remain Rare

New York -- Venture capital investments in nanotech start-ups will exceed $650 million this year, according to a new report from Lux Research. The average deal size through September was $11.5 million, up from $9.6 million last year. The firm warns, however, that successful exits for nanotechnology firms remain few and far between. Since 1995, in fact, just 18 of 171 venture-backed nanotech start-ups have successfully exited through an initial public offering (IPO) or acquisition, according to Lux. The firm said that the average time from investment to exit is about six years -- twice as long as expected from other technology areas.
http://www.luxresearchinc.com/pressb.html

Japanese Group Asks YouTube to Implement Copyright Filter

San Bruno, Calif. -- A group of 23 Japanese TV stations and entertainment companies has written to San Bruno-based YouTube, asking the video-sharing service to implement a system that prevents copyrighted videos from being uploaded by users, the Associated Press reported. The Japan Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JASRAC) last month asked YouTube to delete 30,000 of its members' copyrighted videos. While YouTube complied, the JASRAC letter stated that the company's current system "is not functioning well due to the [continued] large volume of illegal uploads." JASRAC additionally asked YouTube, which is now owned by Google, to implement a copyright filter, post a copyright notice in Japanese, require uploaders to register and terminate the accounts of those who violate copyrights.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061205/ap_on_hi_te/japan_youtube_copyrights http://www.jasrac.or.jp/ejhp/index.htm