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ITALIAN PROSECUTORS CONSIDERING THEIR OWN PIRATE BAY ACTION There are reports that the Italian music industry is talking to prosecutors there about launching a similar joint civil and criminal copyright infringement case against Peter Sunde, Fredrick Neij, Carl Lundstrom and Gottfrid Svartholm. News agency IDG says that the Italian Music Industry Federation is currently talking to the country's prosecutors about launching an action, and the boss of the Italian industry body, Enzo Mazza, is quoted as saying: "The guilty verdict [in Sweden] will strengthen the hand of the prosecutor in Italy". Of course, because the internet is global, record industry bodies in numerous territories could take action against The Pirate Bay. Damages wise there is probably little to gain, with the exception of Carl Lundstrom none of the defendants can even afford to pay the damages awarded to the record companies in the Swedish trial, and even Lundstrom's funds would run out eventually. And given that all four have so far evaded the jail sentences handed down by the their home country's court, there probably wouldn't be any satisfaction to be gained for bitter content owners in thinking of the Bay four languishing in a string of jails around the world. But in terms of providing a deterrent for others considering setting up, or certainly considering funding, similar copyright infringing services, multiple civil and criminal proceedings against the Bay men might be worth the legal-free investment for the content owners, certainly if state prosecutors were taking the lead. That said, that all assumes, of course, that the Bay four would be consistently found guilty. Given the Swedish ruling is subject not only to appeal but to claims that the judge who heard the case was biased, because of his membership of pro-copyright trade groups, guilty rulings in every Western European territory could not be assured. I suspect Italy and any other countries considering their own Pirate Bay action might wait to see how the bias claims pan out in Sweden first. -------------------------------------------------- RADIOHEAD MANAGER TALKS ADVISING SPLITS AND FREE RELEASES On Radiohead, he revealed that after the band split from EMI in 2005, he and his partners had advised the band consider calling it a day when recording sessions for 'In Rainbows' appeared to be stalling, Message told the paper: "I've been lucky to work with some great artists and Radiohead are a once in a generation act. But you have to be honest if it's not working. You have to have passion about what you do. I'm an accountant but I love music and I'm passionate about the artists I work with". However, they didn't split up of course, and 'In Rainbows' was completed. With a finished album on their hands and no label in place to release it, they needed to come up with another way of getting it out to the public. I think we all know what happened next. Message explained: "[Management is] all about partnerships now. You are no longer just the artist's representative at the record company table. This is entrepreneurship at its finest. We realised that, by using the internet for the delivery of the album, we could reach 173 countries and it would cost us less than three cents a copy for distribution. Two of my partners in the management company came up with the idea of pay-what-you-like. Both the band and us were really excited about doing something brave and a bit whacky". Staying on the subject of internet distribution, Message shared his opinions on illegal downloading, which differ from some others in the record industry, though he too believes the ISPs need to take a more proactive role in sorting out the web challenge for content owners. He continued: "We find ourselves out of step with the rest of the industry on this. We believe file-sharing by peer to peer should be legalised. The sharing of music where it is not for profit is a great thing for culture and music. Those who are providing that facility as part of their value proposition should be contributing to the artists. As a free market advocate I never thought I'd say this but we will have to have government intervention to force the internet service providers to adopt a licensing model". C-MURDER "WALKING A TIGHTROPE" SAYS JUDGE The hip-hop star is, of course, due to go on trial for a second time for the killing of sixteen year old Steve Thomas, who died during a brawl at a Louisiana nightclub back in 2002. As much previously reported, Miller was originally convicted of the crime in September of 2003, but a second trial was granted because prosecutors had withheld information about key witnesses' criminal records in securing their conviction. Anyway, that second trial is set to go ahead on 3 Aug, and Miller remains under house arrest in the interim, though he could be thrown back in jail if he breaches the terms of that arrest. Prosecutors had brought a motion to end Miller's house arrest on two grounds: claims that he violated a gagging order by using a website to claim his innocence, and allegations that he has fraternised with a convicted felon. On the latter point, it was one Rev Toris Young, who pleaded guilty to identity theft, who Miller was accused of associating with. He apparently attended a press conference outside the home of Miller's grandmother, where the rapper is confined. But Young testified this week that he was not on the property during the news conference, that he and Miller didn't know each other, and that they did not speak to each other. On the former point, as previously reported, a website set up to raise funds to help Miller fight his legal battle carried an article, purportedly written by C-Murder himself, in which he claimed to be innocent. That was the gagging order breach. But a freelance writer, Brandy Clementin, has testified in court that it was she who wrote the letter from Miller's perspective, and that he had not been involved in the process. The website has been modified now to clarify the issue. Having heard both testimonies, Judge Hans Liljeberg denied the prosecution's motion to send Miller back to the klink, but warned: "You're walking a tightrope right now, and I don't think you've fallen off the wrong side. But you're wobbling". Liljeberg also refused that previously reported request by Miller's lawyer Ron Rakosky to withdraw from the case on the grounds that he's not been paid for three years. Rakosky said: "I don't want to withdraw from this case, but I've worked without compensation for three years. Not without substantial compensation, without any compensation". Liljeberg refused the request, saying that he didn't want a changeover to cause further delay. To help the attorney, the judge did tell Miller: "Me personally, I'd feel a lot better going to trial if my lawyer was paid". Which was helpful. -------------------------------------------------- TWEEDY RESPONDS TO FORMER WILCO-MATE LAWSUIT He told Paste magazine: "I know exactly as much as everyone else does [about this lawsuit]. I've read the news and I honestly have no idea what these claims are based on. It was such a long time ago. Aside from everything else, I'm being sued for not paying someone for appearing in a movie I didn't produce. Go figure. I am truly sad it has come to this. I am equally convinced, however, that I have done nothing wrong and that this will be handled fairly and swiftly". -------------------------------------------------- IRON MAIDEN SUE OVER "CONFUSINGLY SIMILAR" COMIC WEBBYS NAME REZNOR ARTIST OF THE YEAR The organisers said of the decision to choose Nine Inch Nails man Reznor: "[We are] thrilled to honour Trent Reznor with the Webby Artist of the Year Award in recognition of his album, 'The Slip', which debuted for free download in May 2008 on his website. By making his music available to fans for free, Trent Reznor embraced the true openness of the internet, similar to the release of the album 'Year Zero', which launched with an award-winning alternate reality game. Trent Reznor's ability to connect with fans far and wide through the web makes him a qualified ambassador of online culture, and arguably one of the most-recognized artists harnessing the power of the internet to spread music". In other music related Webby awards, Rock The Vote's website picked up the punter voted award in the Activism category, YouTube Live was given both the judge and public voted prize in the Events category, and NPR Music (that's National Public Radio in case you wondered) won both the judge and public chosen awards in the Music and Radio categories, while punters also awarded them the Podcasts prize. The awards will actually be presented at a ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street restaurant in New York on 8 Jun. -------------------------------------------------- RIHANNA LEADS URBAN MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES Elsewhere, Flo Rida, Dizzee Rascal and Kid Cudi are amongst those up for the Best Male Act, whilst the likes of Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco will compete for Best Hip Hop Act. LPs nominated in the Best Album category include John Legend's 'Evolver', Kanye West's '808s & Heartbreak', Akon's 'Freedom', and The Dream's 'Love VIS Money'. The awards are decided via an online public vote, and will be given out on 17 Jul in New York. -------------------------------------------------- COMMERCIAL RADIO AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED Leading the way in the like-the-Sonys-but-with-out-the-BBC-to-compete-with awards are Bauer Media, whose stations together get twelve nominations. That's one ahead of the commercial radio giant that is Global Radio, who get eleven. UTV Radio get five, while Absolute Radio gets three, as does the Lincs FM Group, which is quite an achievement given they're one of the country's smallest radio companies. The nominations in full are as follows... Radio Marketing Award National Sales Team of the Year Local Sales Team of the Year Station of the Year < 300,000 TSA Station of the Year 300,000 - 1 million TSA Station of the Year > 1 million TSA Programmer of the Year Presentation Newcomer Radio Presenters of the Year Station Sound News Award Programme or Feature of the Year Station Creative Award Technical Innovation Digital Station of the Year Social Action Award Commenting on the nominations, the boss of commercial radio trade body RadioCentre, Andrew Harrison, told reporters: "Commercial Radio offers a fantastic range of programming with over 345 stations producing an incredible breadth of output across the airwaves every day. These awards recognise and celebrate the many talented people who work in the sector and once again we've had a huge number of entries which certainly made life difficult for our judges". The awards take place on 5 Jun at the Royal Lancaster Hotel. TEMPER TRAP GET JAPANESE DISTRIBUTION VIA HOSTESS ![]() GARY LIGHTBODY WORKING ON TWO SOLO PROJECTS Speaking to BBC Newsbeat, Lightbody said that he and Lee, who has produced the last three Snow Patrol albums, have been working on 'Listen Tank' in spare moments in their schedules. He said: "We've just been recording and playing instruments on it together. I call it Russian submarine music. I don't know why, there's just lots of voices on it with me using my vocals as an instrument rather than a guitar. It sounds like some underwater choir". As for the country album, he says: "I've loved country for a long time. I always thought I had a country album in me and it turns out I did. I don't know whether people will dig it or not. It's just something I wanted to get out of my system". -------------------------------------------------- INTERPOL MAN TO RELEASE SOLO ALBUM -------------------------------------------------- FRIENDLY FIRES: ALL SAMBA, ALL THE TIME Frontman Ed MacFarlane said of one song already completed: "It's kind of that samba, calypso vibe that's been pushed further. It's a progression from 'Jump In The Pool'. It's really Brazilian. There's no 4/4 drum beats, it's all traditional samba rhythms". He continued: "I think our next album is definitely going to be heading down the samba route. It's something that we've been experimenting with and we really like. It's something a bit different from just doing more traditional disco-inspired music. There's a form of music called Festejo, which is from Peru and I remember seeing a YouTube clip of these two girls dancing to these guys playing really rhythmic drum patterns. The crowd was just going absolutely insane and I remember watching it and thinking, 'This is amazing, I want to incorporate it into our music'". BUSDRIVER ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM Says Busdriver of the album: "A bulk of the songs were written on planes somehow. I listened to [US indie label] Sublime Frequencies releases, Bollywood soundtracks and electronic music rather than indie rock and rap. I was able to shed a good amount of self-awareness that way. Still, this was definitely the most gruelling stint of recording that I've undergone... I nearly quit doing music twice". Split Seconds (Between Nannies And Swamis) -------------------------------------------------- SKINNER POSTS STREETS TRACK VIA TWITTER FAITH NO MORE ANNOUNCE LONDON SHOW -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- UNSIGNED ACTS TO PLAY WITH CHARLATANS AND JUST JACK Duologue, Jazica, Dimbleby And Capper, 51 Breaks and Underline The Sky will support Just Jack at Coalition on 14 May, while The Last Republic, Bleech, Paul Dixon, Akayzia and The Quotes will join The Charlatans at an as yet unnamed venue on 15 May. SEVEN CONFIRMED FOR CMU INSIGHTS As previously reported, a number of leading industry names will appear at the very first CMU Insights event, and CMU Co-Editor Chris Cooke will talk each of them through their careers to date, getting a little insight in their work past, present and future, and looking for tips for young people considering a career in a similar strand of the music business. The latest industry name to be added to the programme is Brighton-based artist manager Seven Webster, who through his 7pm Management company has worked with the likes of Sasha, Digweed, Dido and McQueen, and is currently managing indie rock producer Paul Tipler and electro pop artist Mason. Seven is also an experienced music publisher, programmes the Hard Rock Hell, Hammerfest, City Showcase and Beachdown festivals, and works as a music marketing consultant, so will bring insights from across the music business to the table. We can't wait. Seven joins producer John Leckie on the CMU Insights line up. CMU Insights takes place at The Great Escape from midday on Friday 15 May, at the Thistle Hotel. A second edition will be held the following week at Liverpool Sound City. Chris will also be presenting his brand new music business guide - 'The Music Business In 2009: An Inside Guide' - at both conventions, providing all the basic information anyone needs to know if they want to make it as an artist or band, or as a music entrepreneur, or if they want to work in the music business, or move into another strand of the industry. Don't forget, The Great Escape is one part of the wider Brighton Festival, a three week cultural extravaganza that kicked off this weekend. CMU's sister publication ThreeWeeks is covering the whole shebang, and you can check out their free preview guide right now at this URL: www.threeweeks.co.uk/brighton09preview ALBUM REVIEW: Patrick Wolf - The Bachelor (Bloody Chamber/BattleCo) Buy from iTunes FRENCH RECORDING REVENUES CONTINUE TO DECLINE Royalty revenues from online streaming platforms and subscription-based services both rose considerably though, and while they are still a relatively small part of the overall business at the moment, look like they could become increasingly important in the coming years. Those services, of course, will presumably benefit in terms of traffic if the French government do, as promised, crack down on illegal file-sharing, cutting off the internet connections of persistent online copyright infringers who fail to head warnings. The legislative proposals to make that happen continue to work their way through the French parliament. As previously reported, the initial proposals were delayed after being voted down in the French Assembly when government supporting MPs were few and far between because of the Easter break. The government is busy trying to push the proposals back through parliament, and while they will probably ultimately be successful in making the three-strike system law, there are likely to be more delays - discussions have already been pushed back because opposition MPs have filed so many amendment proposals. UNIVERSAL AUSTRALIA LAUNCH EBAY PORTAL Confirming the service, Universal Music Australia MD George Ash told reporters: "Music is one of the highest searched topics on the web and the opportunity to help eBay.com.au connect their members with their favorite acts, is without precedent". -------------------------------------------------- CBS PUT LAST.FM AND OTHER ONLINE MUSIC SERVICES INTO ONE DIVISION Confirming the rejig, CBS boss Leslie Moonves told CMU: "Today we are combining two industry-leading music properties to form a single group dedicated to music fans everywhere. CBS is in a unique position to bring together the leading-edge technological resources at CBS Interactive with the content, promotional and sales assets at CBS Radio to drive efficiencies into the business and create unmatched experiences for all of our customers". -------------------------------------------------- WHO WILL BUY TWITTER? TOTAL ROCK WORLD ALBUM CHART 1. Nickelback - Dark Horse (Warner/Roadrunner) WILL.I.AM SAYS JACKO'S VOICE IS GREAT Speaking about recent recording sessions and Jacko's perfectionism, Will.i.am told Starpulse: "He was in my house. It's one thing you hear rumors, but when the guy's in your house, laying on your floor as you're playing beats, he's like, 'Will.i.am, I love this beat.' He's laying and his feet are up on the chair, he's kicking his feet. I'm like dude, Michael Jackson's laying on my floor. He's testing his voice and three hours has passed. He's just mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi, mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi. He's doing both voice testing just to sing for five minutes. He's testing his voice for three hours to sing for five minutes". He continued: "I don't know. Fergie don't do that shit. Usher don't do that shit. None of the people that you think still got it do that. I've seen it, in my house. That's because he's a perfectionist and he just likes testing his voice. I'm like, 'Dude, can we record now? Because it's three hours, and it's only going take five minutes.' 'No, I just want to warm it up.' Like dude, that's hot. It's warmed up. And he has it. I've seen it. He mi mi mi'd for three hours. Perfect pitch". -------------------------------------------------- FLAMING LIP CLARIFIES ARCADE FIRE STANCE Look, here's what he told Entertainment Weekly: "I didn't necessarily mean it about the people in the Arcade Fire. I meant it about the guys that were running their stages at a couple of festivals. I wish whatever had been said wouldn't have been taken as such a defiant statement from the Flaming Lips, because it wasn't. I just assumed it was a joke." Asked if he would like to apologise to the group, he said: "I would. I really feel bad about it. I like enough of their music. The idea that I'm somehow against them... I'm not!" -------------------------------------------------- OAPS FIGHT AT MELUA GIG The singer's producer Mike Batt said via Twitter: "Another great Katie show at LA album launch. Two white-haired old ladies had a fight, no shit. One got 'glassed' by the other. Cut neck. Wooh". |
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