Pixar offers Lasseter 10-year contract

It's good news for computer animation fans because it has been announced that John Lasseter, the creative force behind the "Toy Story" and "A Bug's Life" films, has signed a 10-year deal with Pixar animation studios. The exclusive deal sees Lasseter become executive vice president of the company and continue to oversee Pixar's current productions, which include "Monsters, Inc". This is a computer animated film about monsters that live in the wardrobe, which is voiced by Billy Crystal and John Goodman and should provide Pixar with a Christmas blockbuster. ...more

Chinese leaders encouraged to blog

Perhaps stung by criticisms that they are out of touch with the people or maybe the fact that the Chinese population has taken to blogging in a big way, but Chinese lawmakers are being encouraged to write their own blogs. Some 5,000 Chinese delegates to the National People's Congress are eligible to write their own blogs which are being hosted by the People's Daily web site - written in Chinese characters. However only eight or so have currently taken up the challenge of sharing their thoughts with the people. ...more

321 Studios continues the fight in DVD copying battle

321 Studios will appeal a lower court decision that it must stop selling its DVD copying software. Despite the ruling, '321 stands firm in our vow to fight the Hollywood Studios in their effort to take away our customers' digital rights ,' said Robert Moore, Founder and President of 321 Studios. 'There is no difference between making a copy of a music CD for personal use and making a backup of a DVD movie for personal use. ...more

Games companies face multi-billion dollar lawsuit

Linda Sanders, wife of teacher and Columbine massacre victim Dave Sanders, has filed a multi-billion dollar class-action lawsuit against a total of 25 media companies, many of which are related directly to the manufacture and distribution of video computer games. The lawsuit, which has been instigated by Mrs Sanders and her two stepdaughters, comes just hours after many relatives of the Columbine massacre victims had settled legal claims against the parents of the two teenage killers involved, Harris and Klebold. Essentially, the suit claims that the school massacre would never have happened if it hadn't been for the violent and "influential" imagery seen by both Klebold and Harris. ...more

Web sites of the week [21/06/2002]

Here are a few more diverting Web sites to help browse your way towards the weekend. Looney Tunes Check out the newly launched www.looneytunes. ...more