Moved Permanently

ArsTechnica: The RIAA is a true champion of fair use. That's what RIAA president Cary Sherman wants you to believe. In an op-ed piece published by Cnet, Sherman champions the RIAA's unique understanding of fair use while taking digs at those who do not share the record industry's vision—like the Consumer Electronics Association.

Sherman describes fair use as "an undeniably important plank of copyright law," saying that it is "in danger of losing its meaning." He goes on to note that fair use is intended for criticism, comment, news reporting, and scholarship, saying that "it is certainly not an excuse to boost the sales of electronic devices and services on the backs of hard-working creators."

p2pnet.net News:- The Big Four Organized Music cartel's various 'trade' outfits such as the RIAA, IFPI, BPI, and so on, have faked so much outrage around p2p file sharing and downloading that, in the shape of Russian site AllofMP3.com, it's being used against Russia in its bid to join the World Trade Organization.

Warner Music, EMI, Sony BMG and Vivendi Universal claim music 'piracy,' as they call it, is having an absolutely calamitous impact on US earnings, putting industry employees out of work and wreaking havoc with record label bottom lines.

"I agree with, and ultimately take responsibility for, the end decision not to jeopardize the safety of the fans, the crews, the bands and myself as a result of the methods of these particularly draconian authorities," Rose's statement said. "We hope to find another way to play for you in the future."

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(And yes, I'm back. I've had to deal with a wedding and three funerals in the past month, and while the wedding was amazing, the funerals had taken a real emotional toll on me. Thanks to Mikeeeee for filling in!)

In a rare move, Microsoft said yesterday that it had agreed to pay a percentage of the sales of its new portable media player to the Universal Music Group.

Universal Music, a unit of Vivendi, will receive a royalty on the Zune player in exchange for licensing its recordings for Microsoft’s new digital music service, the companies said.

BlankTV.com, the Net''s biggest d.i.y. punk, hardcore and indie music video site has just gone live with a complete relaunch offering lightning quick video speeds, live chat, a completely revamped site and hundreds of new and classic music videos and live clips.

BlankTV first launched in 1999 and currently offers almost 3,000 free, uncensored music videos and live clips spanning the past twenty-five years of indie and underground music.

Check it out here: http://www.BlankTV.com/

At Broadband Reports, Karl picks up on an OUT-LAW.COM report noting that Tammie Marson of Palm Desert, California responded to a file-sharing lawsuit from the RIAA by stating that her wireless network was not secure, and that therefore the file sharing seen on her network could have been from any passerby.

"The defense worked, and the RIAA dropped the case," Karl writes.

As an El Reg article points out, "If this becomes a popular defense, it could seriously hamper a huge number of file-sharing lawsuits taken in the US against individuals. It also looks to be a trend in defense against movie file-sharing lawsuits."

And back at Broadband Reports, PoloDude observes, "I think it's a great defense. But who says you have to turn off your security? Let them try and prove the state of your Wi-Fi security..."

Source: http://tinyurl.com/ynfrnn

Two years after opening its MSN Music store to compete with Apple Computer's iTunes, Microsoft plans to stop selling downloads from the site, CNET News.com has learned.

Beginning, Nov. 14, MSN's music site will begin redirecting music purchasers to either the Zune Marketplace Web site or to RealNetworks' Rhapsody site.

"After November 14, the 'Buy' buttons that you're used to seeing on MSN Music album and artist pages will change to links that connect you to Zune and to Real Rhapsody," MSN Entertainment general manager Rob Bennett said in an e-mail to MSN Music customers.

Store up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures,
or 100 hours of video in your 30 GB device.

• Watch big. Zune has a 3-inch LCD screen that brings your album art, pictures and video to life in amazing clarity and brilliance. Zune takes full advantage of its big screen by turning to either portrait or landscape mode to best display your videos or pictures.
• Store up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 100 hours of video in your 30 GB device.[2] Store enough video to keep you company on long trips, or make playlists and picture slideshows to lighten up your commute to work or school.
• Discover a world of music at your fingertips. Build your library one song at a time with single downloads, or buy a Zune Pass subscription for ‘all you can eat’ access. Either way, you're set to explore a vast collection of music, find old favorites, and discover new ones.
• Amaze yourself with other great features. Use the built-in FM tuner to listen to local FM radio stations. Advanced tuning capabilities let you see the name of the song currently playing on select frequencies.[3] Or browse a vast collection of songs on Zune Marketplace, which is designed to work seamlessly with your Zune. The Zune Marketplace works with the Microsoft Points program so you can purchase music online without a credit card. Plus, you can import your existing music, photos, and videos from iTunes® or Windows Media® Player.[4] And if you want to outfit your device with the latest and greatest accessories, choose from the full line of products that have been designed for Zune. And don’t forget, with built-in wireless capability in each and every player, the future is filled with possibilities.[5]