Following on from the launch of ACE 2000 a few weeks ago, another European group has been established to press for the advancement of multimedia in Europe. Called the European Multimedia Forum, the group differentiates itself from ACE 2000 by saying it is not just planning to focus on networking issues, but on multimedia in all its guises: this is reflected in the group’s make-up, which includes companies such as the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society, Sony Corp and the Information Technology Centre. However, the group does also have a fair smattering of networking companies, including Mercury Communications Ltd, France Telecom, Hewlett-Packard Co, Silicon Graphics Inc, Oracle Corp, Tandem Computers Inc and British Telecommunications Plc. In common with ACE 2000, the Multimedia Forum plans to lobby the European Commission for the introduction of a European Information Infrastructure. But it also plans to act as a think-tank for both public and private organisations, to collect and disseminate information on multimedia and to promote multimedia technologies and services. Specifically, it is planning to produce a market analysis of the multimedia industry in Europe, as well as developing a report on what it sees as the optimal regulatory environment for promoting multimedia within Europe. A multimedia laboratory and showcase will also be established, for members to demonstrate their developments. Also unlike ACE 2000 – whose membership is restricted to the five founding members – the Multimedia Forum says that any interested parties may join. Annual membership fee is $600 for ‘small’ companies and $1,200 for ‘large’ companies.
