(but they are still opposed to book burning)

Steven Zeitchik writes in Publishers Weekly: When Copper Canyon marketing director Joseph Bednarik learned that two of his house’s books had been shortlisted for the National Book Awards this year, he went through the usual gamut of sweet emotions. But he also realized what many prize contenders have come to …

A Paris court shows surprising backbone and opts for free speech: A Paris court today cleared Michel Houellebecq, a best-selling novelist, on charges of inciting anti-Muslim hatred when he dismissed Islam as “the most bloody stupid religion”. The unqualified acquittal of Houellebecq, 44, a provocateur who specialises in sex-laden tirades …

Rafael Medoff notes that Hollywood once lined up to denounce Hitler and save the Jews, now Hollywood lines up to save Saddam: A number of Hollywood celebrities are stirring controversy with their vigorous opposition to American military action against Saddam Hussein. Among others, Woody Harrelson has declared that such U.S. …

Press release: RollingStone.com, the Internet’s leading authority on music news and popular culture, today unveils a fresh new design with many new features and special content for music and movie fans — as well as greater sponsorship opportunities for brand-name advertisers. To celebrate this event, RollingStone.com is hosting the exclusive …

It’s three full days of bibliophilic fun on Book TV this weekend starting Saturday morning at 8 a.m. airing over C-SPAN2 Saturday, October 26 (All times Eastern) 8 a.m. Children’s Books. From Will Rogers Elementary School in Oklahoma City, Governor Frank Keating and illustrator Mike Wimmer read and discuss their …

Compulsory licensing has been coming up quite a bit lately as one way out of the current music biz/downloading nightmare. Edward Felten examines the pros and cons: A compulsory license might work like this: a small “tax” is added to the cost of Internet connections and/or computers and/or electronic devices …

Please see above post for Friday and beyond updates.

An exhibit presents every British pop chart-topper of the last half-century: In a trip down memory lane, music fans can hear all 937 British chart-toppers from Al Martino’s schmaltzy ballad “Here in My Heart” to Pop Idols Gareth Gates and Will Young singing the Beatles classic “The Long and Winding …

Recording artists in NY are seeking changes in the way the biz does biz, especially the length of recording contracts. Similar legislation died in the Cal Senate: The New York bill, which could open the door on free agency for recording acts in the state, is expected to be proposed …