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6:17:44 PM   

Given Vivendi's recent troubles, does today's announcement from (Vivendi-owned) Universal strike anybody as a fire-sale desperation move?

Heh.

4:39:22 PM   

Vivendi units harmonize in digital deal. Vivendi Universal-owned EMusic says that Universal Music Group will add albums from its back catalog to the download service. [CNET News.com]

This means they're actually serious about this whole "selling MP3s" deal.  There's a lot of good stuff in the Universal back-catalog.  If I'm not mistaken, all of Motown.  Universal distributes Eminem's stuff (on the Interscope label), which makes me wonder whether this had anything at all to do with the fact that file sharing of Eminem's new album was responsible for it setting a new record: it's the first record to debut at #1 on the SoundScan chart without a full six days of sales (and marketing!) behind it. 

Big sales alone wouldn't have proven anything, but this unprecedented response means file sharing is more potent and effective than traditional marketing.

It's too bad EMusic only sells low-quality 128kbit/s MP3s.  When they bump it up to 256 (or 196+ VBR), I'll sign up.  Until then, I'm buyin' CDs.

4:29:22 PM   

Kuro5hin reports on the proposed RAVE Act. Its intent is: "To prohibit an individual from knowingly opening, maintaining, managing, controlling, renting, leasing, making available for use, or profiting from any place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or using any controlled substance, and for other purposes." but they appear to have gone a bit overboard. This is well worth the read. [via marc canter] [Adam Curry: Adam Curry's Weblog]

Wow.  I'm speechless.  I've never gotten high in my entire life but I love raves and live electronic music.  I've seen first hand the deleterious effect of the application of "crack house" laws on concert promotion and clubs here in Central Texas.  Have no doubt that this legislation will have a chilling effect on live electronic music in the US.

The Kuro5hin article is (as usual) a good read.  Consise, but complete.  I'll probably have more to say on this topic.

2:15:01 PM   

Regarding the Commerce Department DRM public workshop story below:  You have two days to get your comments in.  The online comment form is now linked from the front page of the site (imagine that!).  There are a couple of good comments in the Slashdot discussion if you need to stock up on verbal ammunition before composing a submission. 

I think the key message is that DRM is not the only solution (even though the entertainment industry says it is), and other options must be considered.  The government shouldn't be legislating a solution that the entertainment industry's customers don't want, particularly when such legislation would allow copyright holders to unilaterally eliminate rights end users have enjoyed since the Constitution was written.

On a brighter note, U.S. Congressman Rick Boucher is proceeding with a legislative initiative to actually step up for our rights against the entertainment oligopoly.  It's a start.

10:16:45 AM