SightSound
SightSound Technologies is an intellectual property company focused on licensing its portfolio of domestic and international patents. SightSound Technologies has been issued 50 patents.[1][2][3]
Industry | Intellectual Property & Audio / Video eCommerce |
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Founded | 1995 |
Headquarters | Pittsburgh, USA |
Key people | Arthur R. Hair & Scott C. Sander (founders) |
Website | http://www.sightsound.com/ |
History
SightSound Technologies began in the mid-1980s when company founder Arthur R. Hair invented a method and system for the electronic sale of digital audio and video recordings. In 1995, Mr. Hair and Scott C. Sander founded SightSound Technologies to commercialize Hair’s invention. On March 2, 1993, Arthur Hair was issued his first patent, "Method for Transmitting a Desired Digital Video or Audio Signal."[4]
On August 18, 1995, SightSound Technologies inked the first distribution deal with a recording artist to sell music on the internet as file downloads: The Gathering Field sold their debut album on SightSound.com.[2]
On October 7, 1997, Arthur Hair receives his second patent, "System for Transmitting Desired Digital Video or Audio Signals."[5]
On April 13, 1999, SightSound Technologies sold Darren Aronofsky's Pi as a pay-per-view download, making it the first ever film to be sold as a download on the Internet.[2] On April 18, 2000, SightSound Technologies announced an agreement with Miramax to distribute twelve of its films for download via Miramax's websites.[6]
On May 5, 2000, SightSound releases Quantum Project, the first celebrity-driven movie created to be distributed solely through the internet.[7] Quantum Project stars Stephen Dorff, Fay Masterson and John Cleese.[8]
References
- "SightSound Technologies Successfully Settles Patent Case Against CDnow and N2K" (Press release). PR Newswire. 24 February 2004. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
- Petzinger Jr., Thomas (7 May 1999). "Two Entrepreneurs Try to Turn Net Patent Into a Blockbuster". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2022-02-19. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- Sweeting, Paul (23 February 2004). "Music e-tailers agree to play SightSound's tune". Variety. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- "US 5191573: Method for transmitting a desired digital video or audio signal". United States Patent 5191573. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- "US 5675734: System for Transmitting Desired Digital Video or Audio Signals". United States Patent 5675734. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- Orwall, Bruce (18 April 2000). "Disney's Miramax to Distribute Films Online via SightSound.com Technology". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- "Future Features". Variety. 14 April 2000. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
- Lyman, Rick (14 April 2000). "At The Movies; 'Quantum' Leap To The Internet". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2011.