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The Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA) today announced Optical Storage Symposium - 2002, to be held Sept. 16 and 17, 2002 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in San Francisco. The theme of the event is "Digital Convergence or Divergence in Consumer and Data Markets."

The event will establish a venue at which business and technology leaders from a diverse range of industry segments including consumer electronics, entertainment, personal computers, digital photography, and optical storage can exchange ideas and address issues. Through a full day of presentations and roundtable forums, discussions will focus on perspectives and prospects for optical storage technology. Topics to be addressed include compatibility; ease of use; the proper balance between home recording and fair use rights, intellectual property and new digital technologies; and the future of content delivery and storage.

“Optical recording technology continues to evolve and expand as the new storage medium of choice for many business and consumer applications," said David Bunzel, president of OSTA. "OSTA is establishing this symposium as part of our effort to encourage an open exchange of information among various industry segments, promote widespread compatibility and to address issues that affect users, manufacturers and developers of digital content."

Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and chair of the Home Recording Rights Coalition, will present the keynote address, "Optical Convergence or Divergence?" Shapiro helped to preserve the legality of video rentals and the VCR, popularized the concept of home theater and helped develop and launch HDTV. His keynote will address opportunities and challenges for digital media storage, including recent consumer research, sales forecasts and copyright concerns.

“Copyright protection is one of the leading issues of the digital era,” Shapiro commented. “How we are allowed to make, save and share digital media will change how we work, play and communicate. This conference will provide a valuable forum for the industry to exchange ideas on those issues.”

Additional sessions planned for the symposium include:
• Industry Perspectives on the State of Optical Storage Data, Digital Content/Entertainment and PC OEM Perspectives
• Will DVD Recorders be a VCR Replacement? Barriers to development and market acceptance; Technical and copyright issues
• Initiatives for Compatibility: MultiPlay, MultiAudio, MultiPhoto/Video - Improving CD and DVD ease of use and compatibility with consumer electronics devices
• Digital Copying: How Much is Too Much? Consumer rights and usability vs. copyright protection for content creators
• The Future of Content Delivery and Storage - Impact of broadband delivery, HDD and solid state technology on optical storage

The symposium begins with a reception and dinner on Monday, September 16, and continues with sessions scheduled throughout the day on Tuesday, September 17. The cost for this information-packed event is just $200 for OSTA members or associates and $395 for non-members. Advance registration discounts are offered to attendees who register before August 1, reducing the cost to $100 for OSTA members or associates and $345 for non-members. For more information or to obtain the registeration form, visit the OSTA website at www.osta.org/oss , or call (408) 253-3695.

The OSTA Optical Symposium will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 250 Gateway Boulevard, South San Francisco, California 94080-7018. For room reservations call (650) 589-3400 or fax (650) 876-0305. Mention OSTA to take advantage of group rates, available for hotel reservations made by August 26.