BT ORDERED TO BLOCK ACCESS TO NEWZBIN2
The High Court has ordered BT to block access to Newzbin2, a website that provides links to huge amounts of movie content available via the Usenet network, most of it unlicensed.

As previously reported, the original Newzbin site was last year ordered by the British courts to remove any links to unlicensed movies. Instead it shut down and relaunched from a base in Sweden, putting the service out of the jurisdiction of UK judges. So instead the Motion Picture Association went back to court and asked the judge to order BT to stop its customers from accessing the site. It's a test case under English law, because web-blocking injunctions have not been previously issued on copyright infringement grounds in this country, though they have been issued in other jurisdictions against sites like The Pirate Bay.

The music business has been watching the case carefully because in theory it opens the door for music companies to apply for injunctions that force all ISPs to block access to all sorts of websites which primarily exist to aid copyright infringement. An on-hold section of the Digital Economy Act actually included a process for issuing such injunctions, though the Newzbin ruling arguably means new laws are not required for the courts to start issuing web-block orders. Needless to say, the ISPs don't like the idea of judges having those powers, and have expressed concern that the ruling reached today re Newzbin could open the flood-gates, with content owners calling for injunctions against sites which inadvertently aid copyright infringement, but which in the main exist for legitimate purposes.

Justifying his ruling ordering BT to block access to Newzbin2, judge Richard Arnold stated: "In my judgment it follows that BT has actual knowledge of other persons using its service to infringe copyright: it knows that the users and operators of Newzbin2 infringe copyright on a large scale, and in particular infringe the copyrights of the studios in large numbers of their films and television programmes. It knows that the users of Newzbin2 include BT subscribers, and it knows those users use its service to receive infringing copies of copyright works made available to them by Newzbin2".

Needless to say, the MPA welcomed the decision. The organisation's MD Chris Marcich told the BBC: "This ruling from Justice Arnold is a victory for millions of people working in the UK creative industries and demonstrates that the law of the land must apply online. This court action was never an attack on ISPs but we do need their co-operation to deal with the Newzbin site which continually tries to evade the law and judicial sanction. Newzbin is a notorious pirate website which makes hundreds of thousands of copyrighted products available without permission and with no regard for the law".

ISPs and the operators of sites like Newzbin will no doubt object to the ruling, and it remains to be seen if BT appeals. Of course, more savvy users of the Newzbin service will be able to circumvent any block, though if it stops more casual users from accessing illegal content presumably the content industries will be happy.

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FIDDY ON STRIKE OVER LABEL FEUD
50 Cent has told his fans he's basically on strike following disagreements with his label, Universal's Interscope. The exact nature of his squabble with Interscope chiefs isn't clear, though it possibly stems from a run in back in May when Fiddy accused the major imprint of "moving in slow motion".

Having said his fifth studio album was 80% complete at the start of the year, he's now taken to Twitter to tell fans not to expect that record any time soon. He tweeted yesterday: "Man I'm not releasing an album... I can't believe Interscope is this fucked up right now. I apologize to all my fans. I will work with other artists on their projects but I will not put out another album. They dropped the ball with me one time too many... they can't seem to get it right when it comes to me".

So there you go. One of the 'other artists' Fiddy has been working with recently is Dr Dre, and the rapper subsequently indicated via the Tweet machine that he might post his latest collaboration with his mentor on the net this week, possibly in violation of Interscope's wishes, though it's not entirely clear if the posting of that track would actually constitute a leak, and anyway, it hasn't happened as yet.

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IRS CHASING R KELLY FOR UNPAID TAXES
Following the recent news that R Kelly is facing the possibility of losing his Chicago home after failing to make mortgage payments for a year, it seems the R&B star is now facing further financial troubles. WENN has reported that the IRS has been chasing Kelly for $837,000 in unpaid taxes since January, and has just dropped a new bill for $1 million.

As previously reported, a foreclosure action filed by JP Morgan Chase last month says that Kelly star hasn't paid any money since June 2010 on his $2.9 million mortgage. The bank now wants to seize the property.

Not that Kelly will want to be dealing with any of this just now. As you'll remember, he was admitted to Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital last week to receive treatment for an abscess on one of his tonsils. He was discharged on Thursday last week and is now recuperating at home. His spokesman said it's still not clear how long it will be before Kelly can perform again. I'd imagine his accountant is hoping it's fairly soon.

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NICKI MINAJ FINED FOR SWEARING IN JAMAICA
Nicki Minaj performed at Jamaica's Reggae Sumfest festival last Saturday. Unfortunately, she was seemingly unaware that the country has a law prohibiting swear words in live performances and so turned the air blue throughout her set.

She was subsequently charged with flouting the rule, and her case was heard earlier this week. Minaj herself did not attend the court hearing, but local lawyer Hugh Thompson entered a guilty plea on her behalf. She was fined 1000 Jamaican dollars - which isn't really that big a deal, given that's the equivalent of eleven US dollars.

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FAC AND MMF LAUNCH NEW AWARDS
The Featured Artists Coalition and Music Managers Forum yesterday announced details of a new awards event which will celebrate artists and their managers. The inaugural Artist & Manager Awards will take place at the Roundhouse on 13 Sep.

Having evolved out of the MMF's long-standing awards event, the Roll Of Honour dinner, the new awards platform will celebrate both new and established talent in both the artist and management communities, with so called 'first rung' and 'breakthrough' categories accompanied by lifetime achievement type gongs, The Artist's Artist Award and The Peter Grant Award.

Announcing the new awards, FAC Co-Chair Nick Mason told CMU: "Artists are at the centre of our industry now more than ever and the Artist & Manager Awards will be a night to remember and to celebrate that. There are obvious synergies between the MMF and the FAC and our coming together to jointly acknowledge both the achievements and hard work of our members seemed a natural fit".

Meanwhile MMF chief Jon Webster added: "We look forward to welcoming people to an event that embraces and celebrates artists and managers at all stages of development in their careers".

There's more info about the new awards event at www.amawards.org

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DJ MAG LAUNCHES TOP 100 DJS POLL
The website for DJ Mag's annual Top 100 DJs Poll tells me that it's "00 days 00 hours 00 mins 00 secs" until voting opens for this year's DJ Mag Top 100 DJs Poll. Which means it must be time to vote in the 2011 DJ Mag Top 100 DJs Poll.

Voting in fact opened yesterday at midday and will continue until 23 Sep. Last year, Armin van Buuren topped the list for the fourth year running. Whether he's managed to make it five will be announced in October.

This year's votes will be collected through Facebook. Find out how to enter your favourite record spinner here: www.djmag.com/top100

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COLDPLAY FANS PONDER ALBUM RELEASE DETAILS
With a new Coldplay album on the way at some point this year, fans have been speculating wildly after a forum user on fansite Coldplaying.com checked the PRS database for new songs by Chris Martin and found one. Forum poster Spike - apparently someone involved with Glaswegian three piece Herculean - discovered that one Christopher Anthony John Martin registered a song called 'Mylo Xyloto' on 6 Jul, writers for which are listed as Coldplay and Brian Eno.

Because that news is only mildly interesting, the fan in question went on to suggest that 'Mylo Xyloto' could be the title of the band's new album, or that the title could actually be a cryptic hint that that album will be released on 10 Oct - its initials being MX (or 1010 in Roman numerals).

Others then went on to guess that this may have something to do with an east London street artist called Xylo who has on at least one occasion been referred to as Mylo (possibly by mistake). Or it might have something to do with a xylophone. Or, hey, it might just be the name of one song. Who knows?

A spokesperson for EMI declined to comment. Stick that up your conspiracy theory.

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NIRVANA'S NEVERMIND 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION DETAILS RELEASED
Full details of the previously reported 20th anniversary edition of Nirvana's second album, 'Nevermind', have been announced. Originally released in September 1991 and now having sold over 30 million copies, the various collectors' packages on offer will provide fans with access to B-sides, pre-production demos, early demos, session recordings, live tracks, and music videos. Basically, everything possible.

The centrepiece will be a deluxe package made up of four CDs and a DVD, which will include all of the above. A four LP heavyweight vinyl release will feature the same audio portions as that boxset, plus there will be double-CD and single-CD editions, and a DVD release of the previously unreleased 'Live at The Paramount Theatre' concert film, which is included in the deluxe edition.

In other related news, the artwork for the 20th anniversary release was apparently removed by Facebook after it was uploaded to the band's official page - www.facebook.com/Nirvana - due to the image of a naked child that adorns it apparently contravening the site's terms of service. The image was later reinstated, though.

All the 20th anniversary releases will come out on 26 Sep.

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U2 AND PEARL JAM DOCUMENTARIES TO BE SHOWN AT TORONTO FILM FEST
A film following U2's career from the release of 1991 album 'Achtung Baby' to the present day will open this year's Toronto International Film Festival. Beginning on 8 Sep, this will be the first time in the festival's 36 year history that it has been opened by a documentary.

Entitled 'From The Sky Down', the film was directed by Davis Guggenheim, best known for his Oscar-winning work 'An Inconvenient Truth', who told reporters: "In the terrain of rock bands - implosion or explosion is seemingly inevitable. U2 has defied the gravitational pull towards destruction, this band has endured and thrived. The movie 'From The Sky Down' asks the question why".

Why, indeed. The festival will also feature a documentary about Pearl Jam's 20 year career. Entitled 'PJ20', it was directed by former Rolling Stone editor Cameron Crowe. After its premiere at the film fest on 10 Sep, the movie will be rolled out across the US and then aired on PBS as part of the station's 'American Masters' series on 21 Oct.

The trailer for that film features part of a tad awkward interview between PJ frontman Eddie Vedder and cult director David Lynch, and an appearance from Soundgarden's Chris Cornell, and you can check it out here:

vimeo.com/26633994

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MICHAEL JACKSON ESTATE SAYS IT HAS NO INVOLVEMENT IN TRIBUTE SHOW
The co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, John Branca and John McClain, have released a statement confirming they have no involvement in the Michael Jackson tribute event that the late king of pop's mother announced earlier this week. As previously reported, Katherine Jackson was joined by some of her other children to announce the 'Michael Forever: The Tribute Concert' event, which will take place in Cardiff on 8 Oct.

As also previously reported, two of Michael's brothers not at the press conference, Jermaine and Randy, subsequently issued a statement saying they felt it was inappropriate to stage a big charity tribute show when Conrad Murray's manslaughter trial in relation to their brother's death was likely to still be going through the motions in court. Meanwhile Branca and McClain have now confirmed that the estate has no involvement in the event, and nor did they authorise the use of Michael's name for it.

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JAMIE XX ANNOUNCES NEW LIVE PROJECT
Producer and member of The xx, Jamie xx has announced details of a new live project, which will see him collaborate with multimedia artist Quayola. The show, entitled 'Structures', will be performed in a yet-to-be-revealed venue later this year and is part of Rizla's RizLabs initiative.

More details are revealed in interviews with Quayola and Jamie's manager (and head of the Young Turk label, to which The xx are signed) Caius Pawson here: www.rizlab.co.uk/projects/1

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WILL HAVEN ANNOUNCE LONDON SHOW
Following the recent announcement of their first album with original vocalist Grady Avenell for a decade, 'Voir Dire', Will Haven have announced a one-off London show in November. This is very exciting. Are you excited? I am excited.

The gig will take place at the Islington Academy on 11 Nov. Tickets go on sale on Friday.

The recently CMU approved new track 'Mira's Secret' can be heard on the band's Facebook page now. 'Voir Dire' will be release by Bieler Bros on 10 Oct.

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FESTIVAL LINE-UP UPDATE

CONSTELLATIONS FESTIVAL, Leeds University, Leeds, 12 Nov: One-time Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus will bring his current band The Jicks to this music and arts fusion fest. Constellations is also set to host further new additions including Three Trapped Tigers, Spectrals, Braids, Big Deal and Vondelpark. Wild Beasts, Yuck, and The Antlers comprise the top-notch trio of existing bill residents. www.constellationsfestival.com

READING AND LEEDS FESTIVALS, Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire/Bramham Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, 26-28 Aug: The BBC Introducing stage at this years Reading and Leeds dual festivals will welcome a fresh raft of names including Milk Maid, Spector, Don Broco and The Kill Van Kulls, who are all booked to appear at both sites. Those attending the Leeds leg only (sorry, southerners) will also be treated by a Dance To The Radio-hosted label showcase of performances from Young Knives, Dog Is Dead, We Are Losers and Runaround Kids. Long-standing Reading & Leeds headliners are My Chemical Romance, The Strokes, and Pulp, who top a bill that also features The National, Two Door Cinema Club, Thirty Seconds To Mars, and many more rock favourites. www.readingfestival.co.uk / www.leedsfestival.co.uk

SWN, Various Venues, Cardiff, Wales, 20-23 Oct: Chief cape getter Sam Duckworth and folk wonders Melody, Melodica And Me lead the latest acts booked for this diverse Welsh bash, with Zun Zun Egui, Veronica Falls and Three Trapped Tigers also featuring amongst the new introductees. Previously announced performers include The Fall, The Joy Formidable, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, And So I Watch You From Afar and The History Of Apple Pie. www.swnfest.com

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VINYL SALES UP 55%
Vinyl sales were up 55% in the first half of the year, according to data from the Entertainment Retailers Association and Official Charts Company. And while they still remain a niche product overall, ERA stats also suggest many music fans will pay a premium to buy music on good old fashioned vinyl, even though many are likely to never actually put their records on a record player.

168,296 vinyl records were sold in the UK in the first half of 2011, compared with 108,307 in 2010. And ERA reckons consumers will pay on average £16.30 for a vinyl record, compared to £7.82 for CDs and £6.80 for digital. Radiohead alone contributed 20,771 of those vinyl units with their 'King Of Limbs' record, while limited edition vinyl releases for the increasingly popular Record Store Day helped boost the overall sales of the format too.

Commenting on these stats, ERA boss Kim Bayley told CMU: "Vinyl may still be a niche format, but it is growing fast. Whether it is the 'warmer' sound many music fans appreciate, the large-scale artwork of a twelve-inch sleeve or its sheer retro appeal, vinyl seems to be capturing the imagination of buyers despite the fact it typically costs twice as much as a CD containing exactly the same music. Much of the focus in the music industry [of late] has been on cutting prices, partly in response to the rise of internet piracy. The success of vinyl shows music buyers will pay a premium if we deliver them a package they really love".

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NEW CASSETTE LABEL LAUNCHES
Talking of retro formats, the guys behind Transgressive Records have teamed up with journalist and presenter Jen Long, perhaps best known for fronting BBC Introducing in Wales, to create a new cassette only record label.

Called Club Kissability, the first release on the new imprint will be DZ Deathray's 'Ruined For Life EP' out on 19 Sep on a jazzy pink audio cassette. The tape will come with a QR code that will provide access to a bonus track download and full live set from the band, for those retro fans who don't have a working tape player to actually play the main release on.

A second release, from Cut Ribbons, will follow in November.

More at www.facebook.com/pages/Kissability/140591479355506

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VEVO RELEASE MOBILE STATS
Music video platform VEVO has published some stats about its mobile apps, who's using them, and how. The Mobile Attitudes & Usage study reveals that VEVO's apps have been downloaded 7.5 million times, and in May the service delivered 85 million video streams to mobile phones.

Of the app users, 48% are aged between eighteen and 24, 66% are male, the average user in May spent 53 minutes using the app, and 79% of use takes place in the evening, most often in a user's bedroom.

VEVO's ad sales men will presumably be keen to suggest that means young male consumers are shunning traditional TV for mobile delivered video content, meaning advertisers should be shifting their telly ad spend over to services like those operated by the music video platform.

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LAURYN HILL CONFIRMS MARLEY NOT FATHER OF NEW CHILD
As previously reported, there has been speculation as to whether Lauryn Hill's long term on again, off again boyfriend Rohan Marley is the father of her latest child, he having fathered five other offspring with the one time Fugee. Marley, who is reportedly now in a relationship with another woman, denied this week that he was the father this time round.

And Hill has confirmed this, issuing a statement via her representatives' Twitter account that read: "Contrary to the numerous reports, Mr Marley did not abandon me while pregnant with his child. We have had long periods of separation over the years but our five children together remain a joy to both of us. Thank you for your concern and I appreciate all of the well wishes regarding the birth of my new son".

And in a rebuke to all those tedious media types who have been, erm, reporting on gossip about her relationship with Marley (you'd never get such tawdry journalism here folks), she added: "Mr Marley and I have a long and complex history about which MANY inaccuracies have been reported since the beginning. To speculate without the facts can only cause people to form WRONG conclusions. We both value privacy and for that reason defend and preserve our right to it".

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DOLLY AND THE BABY ON THE DOORSTEP
Talking of babies, Dolly Parton has been talking to the Windy City Times about the more unusual fan-based events that have taken place in her long career, and recalls a day in 1974 when a fan left a baby on her doorstep.

Coming in the year when 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You' were proving to be big hits for the country star, Parton told the paper: "We came home one day and there was a baby in a box at our gate with a note in it. The note said: 'My name is Jolene, my momma has left me here and she wants you to have me'. Of course, we all freaked out!"

She continued: "We immediately called Human Services and took care of the baby until they got there. We never did know or hear anything about it ... what do you do in a situation like that? There are some loony people in this world!"

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