VIDEO NEWS: VSDA, NARM MERGER TALKS SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY...MOVIE INDUSTRY GROUP TO SUE ILLEGAL DOWNLOADERS 2004-11-29 (1)

VSDA, NARM MERGER TALKS SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY

o, Calif., and the National Association of Recording Merchandisers, Marlton, N.J., last week officially announced the indefinite suspension of merger talks. According to a joint statement, the associations will consider new strategic alliances where appropriate and plan to continue to work closely on programs, initiatives and issues that benefit their members. In a statement, Bob Geistman, VSDA's board chairman, expressed disappointment that the merger talks had ended. NARM's board chairman, Glen Ward, said the NARM board decision not to merge was unanimous.

MOVIE INDUSTRY GROUP TO SUE ILLEGAL DOWNLOADERS

LOS ANGELES -- The Motion Picture Association of America said earlier this month it will begin suing people who have illegally traded digital copies of movies over the Internet. "People who have been stealing our movies believe they are anonymous on the Internet, and wouldn't be held responsible for their actions. They are wrong. We know who they are, and we will go after them, as these suits prove," said Dan Glickman, president and chief executive officer, MPAA, which counts the major motion picture studios among its members.

TOP 10 SUPERMARKET DVD SELL-THROUGH TITLES

Rank, Last Week: Title (Weeks Out); Studio; DVD Retail

1, 1: Shrek 2 (1); DreamWorks; $29.99

2, N: The Stepford Wives; Paramount; $29.95

3, N: Mickey's Twice Upon A Christmas; Buena Vista; $29.99

4, 3: The Day After Tomorrow (4); Fox; $29.98

5, 2: Van Helsing (3); Universal; $29.98

6, 6: Aladdin: Special Edition (5); Buena Vista; $29.99

7, 5: Mulan: Special Edition (2); Buena Vista; $29.99

8, 7: Garfield: The Movie (3); Fox; $29.98

9, 4: Around the World In 80 Days (1); Buena Vista; $29.99

10, 8: Shrek (23); DreamWorks; $19.99

N = New

As of Nov. 14, 2004 This chart, tailored for the supermarket video market, is based on information taken from more than 1,000 supermarket rental locations serviced by Ingram Entertainment, La Vergne, Tenn.