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iPIX Wins Patent Infringement Case
We're pleased to announce that a federal court judge this week upheld the ruling against Infinite Pictures - this confirms that iPIX has exclusive rights to dynamic imaging created with a fisheye lens.  iPIX is still the simplest way to create 360-by-360-degree immersive images - using fisheye lenses, you only need to take two pictures, and iPIX software does the rest.  This court validation of our core patent is great news for the digital imaging community.  Below is the text from a press release issued in the US.  For more details see our Website: www.ipix-eu.com
YVETTE   S H E F T E R - Director, Marketing Communications - iPIX Europe - http://www.ipix-eu.com

Release begins:
FEDERAL COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF iPIX IN PATENT INFRINGEMENT CASE
The Leader in Dynamic Imaging, iPIX Wins Landmark Court Case
Oak Ridge, TN and San Ramon, CA (09/26/00) - Internet Pictures Corporation (Nasdaq:IPIX), the standard for dynamic imaging, today announced that the United States District Court has issued its final judgement in the matter of Internet Pictures Corporation (iPIX) vs. Infinite Pictures (a/k/a SmoothMove or iMove, Inc.) and Graphic Effects. iPIX has been awarded over one million dollars in judgment, interest, and court costs. Infinite Pictures and Graphic Efx are restrained and permanently enjoined from infringing on iPIX's ' 667 patent. The federal court's decision provides court-tested validation of the company's core patent. The judge held that Internet Pictures Corporation has the exclusive rights to dynamic imaging created with a fisheye lens. Internet Pictures' patented technology allows users to interact within an image, looking in 360€ in any direction. iPIX's patented technology represents one of the key building blocks for the company's dynamic imaging solutions.
iPIX dynamic imaging is found on 22 of the top 25 Media Metrix Web sites. Thousands of businesses outsource their dynamic imaging needs to iPIX, to accelerate commerce and improve customer response. From capture of the content, to expert image preparation and delivery to the Web, wireless devices, or email, iPIX handles the heavy lifting required for dynamic imaging so iPIX's customers can focus on their core competencies. Market leaders who rely on iPIX« dynamic imaging include eBay, Realtor.com, Polaroid, Microsoft HomeAdvisor, Cendant, Starwood Hotels, Marriott, Discovery Online, and more. iPIX filed suit against Infinite Pictures, Inc. of Portland, Ore. in October of 1996. iPIX claimed that Infinite Pictures' SmoothMove and RealWorld Navigation Design Series products infringed iPIX's, U.S. Patent No. 5,185,667. In April 1999, the jury found for the plaintiff, Internet Pictures, unanimously on all counts of the verdict and awarded damages of $1,000,000 to Internet Pictures. The court entered a final judgment and a permanent injunction against Infinite Pictures to prevent further marketing of products based on the infringing technology following the jury's verdict. This week the court denied Infinite Pictures' motions for a new trial and validated the jury's verdict for iPIX. The court confirmed iPIX's exclusive patent rights within the United States covering the transformation of fisheye photographic images into perspective corrected images that forms the core technology behind the dynamic 360€ navigable images. Judgment is entered in favor of plantiff iPIX and against defendant Infinite Pictures and defendant Bill Tillman of Grafic Efx in the sum of $1,000,000 plus interest from August 1, 1996. Infinite Pictures shall bear all costs incurred by iPIX in this litigation. "This landmark case validates our patent portfolio and the federal court has stated loud and clear that iPIX« technology is pioneering, unique, and protected," said Jim Phillips, Chairman and CEO of iPIX. "A judicially tested and vindicated patent portfolio makes iPIX a much stronger company and gives us a tremendous advantage in penetrating new markets and growing our company." In September of 1997, Live Picture Corporation (now MGI Software), which also had been sued by Internet Pictures for patent infringement, agreed that the Internet Pictures patents were valid and enforceable. Live Picture also agreed to stop its use of fisheye lenses and remove these products from sale. iPIX« dynamic imaging technology now stands alone in the industry, protected by a Federal Court decision. The possibility of an emerging standard in dynamic imaging is more likely as a result of this decision. With iPIX« images as a de facto standard, doors are open to wider-scale marketing of iPIX« end-to-end solutions and growth of the company. Beyond the positive impact on the strength of Internet Pictures' patent portfolio, the case may become a landmark in the field of patent law. This is one of the first times that a patent infringement case has successfully been brought against a company that used the Internet to commit acts of patent infringement. Internet Pictures was represented by Washington, D.C. patent law firm Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

About iPIX
iPIX (Nasdaq: IPIX) is the standard for dynamic imaging. 22 of the Media Metrix top 25 Web sites use iPIX to make their sites more dynamic. Businesses dependent on visual content rely on iPIX. iPIX's end-to-end, dynamic imaging solutions enable the capture, processing, hosting, and distribution of rich media to thousands of Internet sites and millions of Internet enabled wired and wireless devices. A broad array of industries, including real estate, online auctions, e-retail, automotive, travel, publishing, and entertainment, are capitalizing on iPIX« dynamic imaging to give viewers more information, more interaction, and a richer online experience. The company is co-headquartered in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Palo Alto, California, with European headquarters in London.

 In April of 2000, iPIX acquired Pictureworks Technology, Inc.  As part of the new iPIX, the leader in dynamic imaging, we have shifted our focus from the desktop to the Internet.  Because of this shift, we have decided to discontinue production and sales of all our previous PictureWorks desktop products including, The Real Estate Imaging Toolkit, SpinPanorama, > HotShots, NetCard, PhotoEnhancer, and more.  However, iPIX will continue its commitment to customer support these products.  For product support, questions, or concerns, please email us at technical_support@ipix.com.

 In the recent final judgement won by IPIX (09-26-00) against smoothmove, I wanted to ask everyone about the use of fisheye to create spherical panoramas. I've been using the nikon fisheye lens along with coolpix 950.  The fisheye images are then transformed into spherical panoramas using panotools. Does this mean that I have been infriging IPIX's patent because I used the fisheye lens and then created a complete spherical panorama? Do I need to stop this and now use rect. images and do mutil-row stitching to stop myself from a lawsuit from IPIX?

To celebrate the launch of the new iPIX Builder, we have a limited number of Xmas Key Certificates available to existing iPIXstore customers, available only until 31st December 2000.
Each Certificate gives you 1000 iPIX Builder Keys and costs only US$ 5,000
The new version of the iPIX Builder (4.1a, available for Windows and Macintosh) incorporates many new and improved features, including enabling you to save iPIX spherical images in QTVR format.  This means that people accessing your Websites through Quicktime-installed machines will be able to view iPIX images automatically, which will vastly increase the number of people viewing iPIX high-resolution images. You should already have received your Builder update but if you haven't please contact us and we'll send this straight to you. Whether you're already using iPIX Builder Keys and need to update your stock, or want to upgrade from iPIX Wizard to iPIX Builder, or want to start creating iPIX images for the first time, the Xmas Key Certificate represents unprecedented and unrepeatable good value. There are just two conditions: all Certificates expire on January 31st 2001, and any unused Keys expire on 31st December 2001 To snap up one of these special edition Certificates contact iPIX Europe now. In the UK please e-mail info@ipix.co.uk

In Europe please e-mail eurosales@ipix.com Or phone +44 (0) 20 7935 4260 Remember to order before 31st December !

Please note that this offer is not available in America, Japan or Australasia. For more info on iPIX see www.ipix-eu.com

Artikel von http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/163946.html (Leider nicht mehr verfügbar! Anm.d.Verf. 240603)
Inhalt: Schwere Verluste bei Internet Pictures Corp zwingen zu Sparmaßnahmen und argressivem Vorgehen auf dem Markt. Ein großer Teil der Belegschaft wurde entlassen. Die Geschäftführung versucht durch stärkere Zusammenarbeit mit anderen Firmen Ihre Verluste wieder zu tilgen.

IPIX Reports Q4 Loss, Cuts Staff - By Staff, Newsbytes - SAN RAMON, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 02 Apr 2001, 7:14 AM CST

Internet Pictures Corp. [NASDAQ:IPIX], involved in imaging on the Internet, has announced a net loss of $24.6 million
for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2000, on revenue of $12.7 million. The company added that it has cut its workforce by 60 percent since October 2000.
The company said that the net loss for the quarter, excluding merger expenses, restructuring expenses and non-cash charges related to stock-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets, was $0.40 per share. For the year-end, total revenue was $53.7 million, compared to $12.5 million for the same period last year. Net loss for the year, excluding merger and restructuring expenses, restructuring expenses, goodwill and non-cash charges related to stock-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets, was $88.1 million or $1.56 per share, compared with a net loss of $56.9 million or $2.21 per share for 1999.
With regard the workforce reduction, the company added that 72 percent of vice president and senior management level positions have been eliminated. Said Jim Phillips, chairman and CEO of iPIX. "The company will focus on near-term high margin opportunities while we delay the launch of several new initiatives due to overall economic conditions. We will aggressively enter new markets as economic conditions improve."
The company added that its "transforming strategy" with regard to "real estate, expanded business through indirect channels, and focus on high-margin revenue businesses" has resulted in a 75 percent decrease in operating expenses on a
quarterly basis, which in turn have been the result of workforce reductions, consolidation of physical sites, and "more streamlined operations." Now the company is projecting a loss of just $0.21 for the first quarter 2001, a loss of about
$0.08 for the second quarter, and actual profitability in the fourth quarter.
In addition to already announced alliances with Homestore, eBay, and IBM, the firm said it is "actively discussing alliances in the insurance, entertainment, surveillance and observation, justice, travel and other markets that can benefit from immersive imaging and iPIX's imaging infrastructure solutions," and that it is continuing negotiations on a private round of financing.
Reported by Newsbytes.com,  http://www.newsbytes.com . 07:14 CST
(20010402/WIRES TOP, ONLINE, PC, BUSINESS/JOBCUTS/PHOTO)
 © 2001 The Washington Post Company 

14 May 2001
I am writing to personally thank you for your continued support of iPIX and share some exciting news. iPIX has secured financing which provides us with the operating capital necessary to execute on our plan to reach profitability in Q4 2001. With this investment, iPIX is financially secure and will continue our leadership in the delivery of dynamic imaging solutions. (<http://www.ipix.com/aboutus/press/2001_may/051401.shtml>).
Over the last six months, we have focused on developing streamlined business, reducing expenses and developing our indirect distribution channel throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We are now primed to execute on our business plans and reach profitability. iPIX products and services will continue to leverage our proprietary technology and deliver media including our patented immersive still and video images. iPIX will remain focused on helping businesses harness the power of imaging to increase revenues, improve operations and enhance the overall Internet user experience.
Our relationship with our customers, Value Added Resellers and Top Level Partners is integral to this strategy and our ability to deliver premier imaging solutions. With this new investment, iPIX will increase focus on the development of partner programs and has the financial resources to aggressively execute on our cooperative business plans. Looking forward, you can count on iPIX to increase our capacity to deliver on our value proposition and remain dedicated to the success of iPIX technology. I thank you for keeping the faith through the last six months of challenges and look forward to your support as we generate new business together with confidence that a future lies ahead.
With sincere thanks, Tim Brookes
Managing Director - IPIX Europe, Middle East and Africa
Jeffrey T. Puckett Director, Sales & Channel Development
Internet Pictures Corporation (NASDAQ:IPIX)
22 Welbeck Street - London W1G 8EJ - +44 (0)20 7935 4260 Office +44 (0)20 7486 8110 Fax jeff.puckett@ipix.com

14. Mai 2001 (grobe Übersetzung folgt:)
Ich schreibe, um Ihnen persönlich für Ihre fortgesetzte Betreuung von IPIX zu danken und Aufregende Nachrichten teilen. IPIX hat Finanzierung gesichert, die uns liefert Mit

Das Betriebskapital, das notwendig ist, um auf unserem Plan dafür zu arbeiten, zu reichen Wirtschaftlichkeit in Q4 2001 . mit diesem Investition, IPIX sind finanziell Sichert Und setzt unsere Federführung in der Lieferung dynamischer Bildaufbereitung fort Lösungen. (< Http://www.ipix.com/aboutus/press/2001_may/051401.shtml >).

Über die letzten sechs Monate haben wir darauf gezielt, uns zu entwickeln, rationalisiert Geschäft, das Spesen reduziert und unseren indirekten Vertrieb entwickelt Kanal Überall in Europa, dem Nahen Osten und Afrika. Wir werden jetzt vorbereitet zu

Arbeiten Auf unseren Geschäftsplänen und unserer Reichweitenwirtschaftlichkeit. IPIX Produkte und Dienstleistungen

Fährt fort, unsere Eigentumstechnologie fremdzufinanzieren und Medien zu liefern Unser patentiertes Immersive immer noch einschließend und Videoabbildungen. IPIX wird Bleiben Darauf fokussiert, Geschäften zu helfen, die Vollmacht der Bildaufbereitung zuzunehmen anzuschirren Erlös, zu verbessern Betriebe und zu verbessern den allgemeinen Internetverbraucher Erfahrung. Unsere Verbindung zu unserem Kunden, WERT fügte Wiederverkäufer und Kopfteil hinzu Ebene Schließt sich zusammen sind für diese Strategie und unsere Fähigkeit zu liefern grundlegend  Premier Bildaufbereitungslösungen. Mit dieser neuen Investition steigert IPIX Fokus Auf d Entwicklung des Partners programmiert und hat die finanziellen Ressourcen zu Aggressiv auf unseren kooperativen Geschäftsplänen arbeiten. Vorwärtssehend, können Sie auf IPIX zählen, unsere Kapazität zu zu steigern Liefern Auf unserem Wert macht einen unsittlichen Antrag und bleibt gewidmet dem Erfolg von IPIX Technologie. Ich danke Ihnen für das Halten des Vertrauens durch die letzten sechs Monate Herausforderungen und Blick leiten an Ihre Betreuung weiter, da wir neues Geschäft generieren Zusammen mit Vertrauen daß eine Zukunft vor liegt.
Mit aufrichtigem Dank