The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), an international, nonprofit association of computer, information, and communications technology firms, is asking consumers to complain to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection about statements and warnings attached to CDs, DVDs, and broadcast programming that forbid copying and sharing. According to the CCIA: “These warnings […]

Dave Winer, one of the creators of podcasting, offers his take on the process of syncing that is central to most people’s podcast consumption: Why syncing sucks – I think synching is a bad idea, but Apple’s mobile technology is built around it. I dislike synching. I want my devices to go straight to the […]

SoundExchange has announced that it had reached agreement with several large webcasters on SoundExchange‚Äôs proposed cap on the minimum fees charged for playing traditionally-licensed sound recordings on Internet Radio.¬† Recently-enacted regulations by the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) require each webcasting service to pay a $500 minimum fee “per station or channel”, regardless of the overall […]

The New York Times has an interesting article today that looks at how disputes over Internet gambling in the tiny country of Antiqua could lead to free digital music downloads. Antigua is best known to Americans for its pristine beaches and tourist attractions like historic English Harbor. But the dozens of online casinos based there […]

It looks breaking Apple’s lock on digital music downloads is so important to the music industry that¬† record companies are willing to not only offer DRM-free tracks, but offer them at lower prices. Wal-Mart announced today the launch of DRM-free MP3 music downloads. At 94 cents per track and $9.22 per album, they are undercutting […]

RealNetwork, MTV and Verizon Wireless today announced they are teaming to create a “digital music experience” that consumers can access via their PC, portable music device or mobile phone. According to the three companies, the service promises to unite the best of RealNetworks’ Rhapsody service and MTV’s URGE music service. Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Music […]

Viacom’s MTV Networks is expected to announce today plans to merge its online digital music offerings into a joint venture with RealNetworks. MTV and RealNetworks, which runs subscription digital-music service Rhapsody, plan to join forces in a bid to compete with Apple Inc’s iTunes online music store. Verizon Wireless is expected to supply mobile distribution […]

Blue Note, a record label known for its classic jazz recordings, has released a series of podcasts. The new shows focus on current releases by Blue Note artists, including Floratone, Norah Jones, Amos Lee, Ron Carter and Suzanne Vega. Here are the podcast details…..

AT&T & LG Electronics have announced a new phone, the trax, that gives users access to subscription music services such as Napster and eMusic. The phone offers an alternative to the computer-centric approach championed by Apple with its iPhone/iTunes offering. The trax is a multipurpose clamshell-shaped phone that connects to AT&T’s 3G UMTS/HSDPA network. Besides […]

Apple announced today the debut of the John Lennon solo catalog on the iTunes Store. Sixteen of Lennon’s solo works from EMI Music are available on iTunes starting today, with the ‚ÄúLennon Legend‚Äù and ‚ÄúAcoustic‚Äù collections making their worldwide digital debuts. For a limited period of 30 days, exclusive video content will be included with […]