Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Edward Nawotka writes today in the PW Daily Newsletter: A group led by the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers and the PEN American Center has sent a letter of support to House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R., Wis.) and Rep. John Conyers (D., …
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Ira Robbins Interview Pt 1
Today my email apparently drifted off into the ether, then a thunderstorm came through and blew up a tree right across the street and killed our electricity for a while. But, it is finally time to begin our interview with the legendary Ira Robbins. A little background: Robbins, the co-founder …
Read More »European Copyright Directive
From Andrew Orlowski in London: The UK’s take on the “European DMCA” – the European Copyright Directive – will make criminals out of ordinary computer users, according to a new critique by the UK Campaign for Digital Rights. And it will also fail to protect researchers, says Julian Midgley who …
Read More »Sample and Hold
In response to our post on EMusic and Frank Black, Scott Rosenberg has some very telling thoughts that I would think the record biz would be encouraged to hear: I subscribe to EMusic’s service. I also just bought those two CDs at Amoeba here in Berkeley. Now, theoretically, I should …
Read More »Soul Train Pops a Gonad
A high school kid started a campaign against Soul Train’s selection of Entertainer of the Year and got some serious shit in return: California high school sophomore Rommel Zamora is learning after launching an online petition criticizing the powers that be at Soul Train for selecting Ashanti as their Lady …
Read More »Lawsuit Dropped Against Chinese Swap Site
AP reports The U.S. recording industry has dropped efforts to compel four Internet service providers to block a Chinese Web site accused of distributing pirated music. Thirteen record companies had filed a lawsuit Friday after failing to persuade the site, Listen4ever.com, to shut down on its own. But in a …
Read More »Ira Robbins Interview Here Tomorrow
Be sure to stop by Blogcritics.com tomorrow for our exclusive online interview with legendary rock writer Ira Robbins. We will talk about the future of the music industry, the revival of Trouser Press online, favorite music, his work with MJI, and your questions. Blogcritics.com – “a sinister cabal of the …
Read More »Progress & Freedom Foundation’s Aspen Summit
Andy Vuong reports from telecom confab: The debate over the legalities and impact of file-swapping services pioneered by the now-defunct Napster took center stage Tuesday at the annual Progress & Freedom Foundation’s Aspen Summit. The gathering of more than 200 telecom executives and government officials, which began in Aspen on …
Read More »Librarian of Congress Wants Most Webcasters Shut Out From Appeals Process
Kurt Hanson writes: In a new twist to the ongoing battle regarding Internet radio royalty rates, the Librarian of Congress filed a motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals yesterday, arguing that webcasters who did not participate in the CARP are not “an aggrieved party who would be bound by …
Read More »RIAA Wants Fed Judge to Compel Verizon to “Give Up” Swapper
Declan McCullagh reports: On Tuesday, the RIAA asked a federal judge in Washington, D.C., for an order compelling Verizon Communications to reveal the name of a customer accused of illegally trading hundreds of songs. Citing privacy concerns and potential legal liability, Verizon has refused to comply with a subpoena the …
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