boycott-riaa.com - Article: In The News

In The News - August 2008

Posted by Mike (Shmoo) on August 31, 2008 at 10:33 PM (printer friendly)

Be as brief and to-the-point as possible with your links. Keeping the "In The News" thread tidy makes it easier for all. If you have a lengthy comment about something here, post it somewhere else and provide a link to it. If you need to say something at me, independentmusician (or anyone else) simply go to DMusic and use my shoutbox or send a Dnote/e-mail, or use a different recent thread.

User Comments (These do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of this site)


independentm...	Date: July 31, 2008 @ 10:34 PM from slashdot: "Zeropaid has been covering a very hot topic going on in the UK right now. The government, prodded by entertainment lobbyists, has gotten six UK ISPs to agree to help police piracy on their networks. A leaked government letter says they are looking to cut internet piracy by 80%. In the same week Microsoft released a study which found that some 54% of UK file sharers are between 11-16. The UK's Green Party has already spoken up, calling the new policies an 'Attack on Civil Liberties.'" several links in that article

independentm...	Date: July 31, 2008 @ 10:35 PM NYT magazine explores the history of internet trolls.

independentm...	Date: July 31, 2008 @ 10:38 PM RIP Usenet

independentm...	Date: July 31, 2008 @ 10:42 PM The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for permission to engage in “selective output control” (SOC) Public Knowledge's "Selectable Output Control" video -- show this to your friends and get them to take action

independentm...	Date: July 31, 2008 @ 10:45 PM Black Crowes accuse Gretchen Wilson of copyright infringement With vid comparison, but DON'T watch the vids (the RIAA gets paid if you do.)

independentm...	Date: August 1, 2008 @ 12:07 AM Indie musicians, check out this agency's page! (Even if you don't want to seek their services, Skyline Music has some great info worth a gander:) See: 100 FREE & AFFORDABLE WAYS TO PROMOTE LIVE MUSIC! (a .pdf file) And don't forget to take a look at their blog site: http://hypebot.com

pepe512000	Date: August 1, 2008 @ 11:45 AM Travelers' Laptops May Be Detained At Border

pessimist	Date: August 1, 2008 @ 5:31 PM The White House and other conservative (corporation-catering) Repubs prefer to have net neutrality be a political football rather than protect the internet with some hard and fast policies that endure. But, for the moment at least, the ruling against Comcast will be in place for awhile . . . even though all they got was their knuckles slapped a little bit. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-comcast2-2008aug02,0,7253725.story

pessimist	Date: August 2, 2008 @ 6:08 AM I said "hard and fast", but I meant "solid and strong".

autodidact	Date: August 2, 2008 @ 6:40 AM William Patry ends his copyright blog. Reasons: People increasingly (and wrongly) attributed to Google, his employer, the personal views expressed in his blog. Also... "This leads me to my final reason for closing the blog which is independent of the first reason: my fear that the blog was becoming too negative in tone. I regard myself as a centrist. I believe very much that in proper doses copyright is essential for certain classes of works, especially commercial movies, commercial sound recordings, and commercial books, the core copyright industries. I accept that the level of proper doses will vary from person to person and that my recommended dose may be lower (or higher) than others. But in my view, and that of my cherished brother Sir Hugh Laddie, we are well past the healthy dose stage and into the serious illness stage. Much like the U.S. economy, things are getting worse, not better. Copyright law has abandoned its reason for being: to encourage learning and the creation of new works. Instead, its principal functions now are to preserve existing failed business models, to suppress new business models and technologies, and to obtain, if possible, enormous windfall profits from activity that not only causes no harm, but which is beneficial to copyright owners. Like Humpty-Dumpty, the copyright law we used to know can never be put back together again: multilateral and trade agreements have ensured that, and quite deliberately." http://williampatry.blogspot.com/

pessimist	Date: August 2, 2008 @ 10:07 AM Re: "multilateral and trade agreements quite deliberately" replacing sensible and now bygone copyright laws . . . That's tragically true, thanks to overreaching statutes which were enacted in recent times along with the inexorable, global push for protection of intellectual property rights designed as a control component (part of a planned new world order just ahead on the horizon).

independentm...	Date: August 2, 2008 @ 5:05 PM Depeche Mode has severed ties with Warner Music Group because they felt "underserved" by the company's current regime; they join Madonna and Nickelback as acts who have fled from Warner's pastures over recent months.

autodidact	Date: August 3, 2008 @ 11:24 AM Music industry ‘should embrace illegal websites’ The music industry should embrace illegal file-sharing websites, according to a study of Radiohead’s last album release that found huge numbers of people downloaded it illegally even though the band allowed fans to pay little or nothing for it. “Rights-holders should be aware that these non-traditional venues are stubbornly entrenched, incredibly popular and will never go away,” said Eric Garland, co-author of the study, which concluded there was strong brand loyalty to controversial “torrent” and peer-to-peer services. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e72884f6-6175-11dd-af94-000077b07658.html

pepe512000	Date: August 4, 2008 @ 9:40 AM http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/ Judge is leaning towards a Jammie Thomas retrial.

independentm...	Date: August 4, 2008 @ 1:58 PM South Korean government getting the jitters about allowing internet freedom of citizens. Always a bad sign.

independentm...	Date: August 4, 2008 @ 2:00 PM A U.S. appeals court ruled that Cablevision Systems Corp may go forward with its plan to introduce a new digital video recorder service that film studios and television networks had said violated their copyrights.

independentm...	Date: August 4, 2008 @ 2:08 PM The Interactive Advertising Bureau, which represents the $21 billion online ad market, said Thursday that it has proposed a new communication standard for digital video ads called VAST, or Digital Video Ad Serving Template. If adopted by the industry, the standard would establish a common protocol between the various video players and video ad networks on the Web. That way, advertisers would be able to insert a commercial onto YouTube, without having to reformat it for Yahoo or Hulu.com, for example.

independentm...	Date: August 5, 2008 @ 12:19 AM DMCA does not apply to US government, which can crack DRM with impunity

independentm...	Date: August 5, 2008 @ 11:21 AM Help Iggy get back his stolen gear.

independentm...	Date: August 6, 2008 @ 11:00 AM Why some game developers leave the big company and go indie Not about music, but it is a creative industry nonetheless.

independentm...	Date: August 6, 2008 @ 12:29 PM Here is a reason for "pro" studios being so gosh darn expensive... they have tons of gear of this caliber to make the audio better than what the average joe can obtain. :)

pessimist	Date: August 7, 2008 @ 10:04 AM A day later, and our website is still just as pokey. (I'll return in a day again to check how things are going. This sucks.)

autodidact	Date: August 7, 2008 @ 1:20 PM The Pretenders (now on the Artist First label -- which I assume is non-RIAA) will release one free MP3 of a new album track per week on their official site, leading up to the album release on 9/23. Sort of a variation on the Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails models, except you have to visit their site multiple times. Still, free is free. http://www.thepretenders.com

pessimist	Date: August 8, 2008 @ 11:12 PM I'm back just to see if the website's speed has improved. I see it hasn't. Also noticing an ad right here on our webpage for McCain's "courageous service." I wonder why Obama's crew doesn't call McCain out for the latter giving information to the enemy, even helping them make a traitorous video while he was a POW. And I still can't believe General Clarke didn't bring up this subject when he had a perfect opportunity about a month ago. All the negative campaigning that McCain has recently been doing smacks of Karl Rove's tactics, and that's because McCain's got Karl's buddy to do it. McCain has lavish tastes, not only $500 shoes to wear, but other things as well. I guess he can afford it; his wife Cindy is a major rich sugar mama for him. McSame . . . yuck.

pessimist	Date: August 9, 2008 @ 8:34 AM Update 8/9/08: Thirty seconds waiting for our website to refresh a webpage or to go to a new webpage, just won't cut it.

autodidact	Date: August 9, 2008 @ 9:33 AM Really now, I don't think that Obama supporters want to be advertising the fact that McCain was tortured into making a confession in North Vietnam. It only highlights a comparison that you folks don't want to be making. Namely, life experience and knowledge of the military and war in a time of war. Or lack of same. Whereas McCain has given his broken back for this country, Obama has gone around the world apologizing for how bad the USA is (in Germany, home of the holocaust, of all places). But if you think pointing out McCain's POW years and how he cracked under torture helps, by all means please keep repeating this in every possible forum. I suggest you run TV adds too. Because I think it only spells backlash for Obama.

pessimist	Date: August 9, 2008 @ 11:31 AM Actually, I think McBush will keep using "Rovish" (pun intended) tactics of negativity with impunity, because John himself has recently said if he wins, that type of approach will then be seen as brilliant. I recall Cindy sobbing at John's side in 2004, at the time when THEY had been at the losing end of political attacks; the shoe was on the other foot. From victim to victor, learning to use the dirty stuff that works?? Oh, yeah. Great example of character there, John. I guess whatever works is right (in your book). You don't hope to engender respect from someone who cares about character, do you? Not from me; I wouldn't want to obey you at all. Both candidates, not just Obama, have hypocritically flip-flopped on various issues within the last several years; and, even beyond that, NEITHER of them would be good for our nation. But that's the kind of candidates our country gets to choose from in the first place, so what should we expect? (Operative principle: It's hard to obtain keeper metals from slag.) As an aside, almost all of our presidents are related, and I mean closer than that which would be expected by random chance. Just as a present example, Obama's mother and John McCain are 21st cousins. Many of the past presidents are more closely related than that. . . often going back to one of Europe's regal lines (as for example, Charlemagne or an English king). Research on this subject, though time-consuming, is quite revealing.

leflaw	Date: August 9, 2008 @ 11:41 AM He's ok, but too fucking old.

pepe512000	Date: August 9, 2008 @ 1:54 PM He only needs to live another 4 years. Could happen.

pessimist	Date: August 9, 2008 @ 6:29 PM As one reads the information contained within the following news article, it doesn't take a vivid imagination to consider the present internet as having a case of terminal illness. I wonder if powers-that-be have been dragging their feet for the past 17 years, counting on the day when a disastrous web event occurs. That's the excuse they can use to control the freedom of the internet . . . by replacing it. (If they had gone ahead and taken care of the DNS problem, they wouldn't have the excuse they'll be able to utilize once the big crisis hits. Controlled crises bring controlled change.) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/09/technology/09flaw.html?hp

pessimist	Date: August 9, 2008 @ 6:40 PM "One technical expert, Daniel J. Bernstein, a University of Illinois mathematician who has also developed a version of D.N.S. that does not suffer from the current flaw, said DNSSEC offers a surprisingly low level of security, while at the same time introducing performance and reliability problems.” How much you want to bet that Bernstein's common-sense solution won't be heeded? I'd bet my bank account (p.s., it ain't huge).

independentm...	Date: August 9, 2008 @ 7:09 PM A timeline of Internet Memes

pessimist	Date: August 9, 2008 @ 11:00 PM One more thing about McSame's character that autodidact and I were briefly discussing: Sympathizing with Mrs. Edwards about now, I can't help but wonder how John McCain's first wife (Vicki Iseman) felt after she had waited faithfully for his return from 'Nam, only to endure him divorcing her afterward because he found someone more interesting (and 18 years younger) that he had an extramarital fling with in Hawaii. Perhaps McCain supporters might have an explanation that exonerates his bad character on that issue. Oh, wait, that was probably too many years ago to matter (except to the poor wife, that is). Hmm. Well, his reported relationship with a lobbyist is more recent, but, except for the New York Times, the major news syndicates pretty much gave him a skate pass on that one (apparently choosing not to pursue the issue strongly). I'm sure he's grateful for that stroke of luck. Bottom line: McSame is a dork; but worse, he won't be good for our nation (for other reasons). Unfortunately, Obama won't be good for our nation either, though (also for other reasons). There. I feel better having vented a bit.

autodidact	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 4:11 AM This isn't a news item, but since the website seems to be broken for the time being -- pages take like a minute to load -- I will ask a question: Are there any reliable figures on used CD sales? They keep complaining that CD sales are down, down, down. I'm sure they are down. But I'm buying more and more used CDs, hardly ever a new one. If you add used CD sales to new CD sales (just as they do with home sales statistics -- existing home sales and new home sales) what does the CD market look like?

pessimist	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 10:59 AM Isaac Hayes, the "Shaft" man (and later chef of "South Park"), dead at 65+. He was an innovator, kinda rappish at times before the rap era even began. [candle]

pessimist	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 11:05 AM To me, he was an initiator of the disco era with his 1971 "Theme from SHAFT" . . . that catchy background beat which led the way for what followed later in the decade.

pepe512000	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 3:41 PM "Relatives found Hayes, 65, unconscious in his home next to a still-running treadmil" I rest my case...

independentm...	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 4:09 PM Pirate Bay blocked in Italy.

independentm...	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 4:14 PM The Permission Problem discussing the hidden cost of patent, trademark and copyright laws

independentm...	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 4:49 PM A NewsWeek article about picking campaign songs.

pessimist	Date: August 10, 2008 @ 8:38 PM Re: "Pirate Bay Blocked in Italy" That blocking will only be temporary, for several reasons.

pessimist	Date: August 11, 2008 @ 9:52 PM leflaw Date: August 9, 2008 @ 11:41 AM McCain's ok, but too fucking old. Leflaw, have you heard this one: Obama's decided to text-message who his choice of veep will be. Countering this, the McCain camp is prepared to use telegraph code to announce John's choice (after all, he's a contemporary of Samuel Morse, right?)

independentm...	Date: August 11, 2008 @ 11:32 PM Allman Bros. sue Univiversal for $10 million in unpaid royalties. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, said UMG "refuses to pay Plaintiffs at the correct royalty rate for its digital exploitation of the Capricorn Masters," including from compact discs, digital downloads and ringtones. The agreement dated back to a 1985 agreement between the band and Polygram, which Universal bought, that said the band would be paid half of profits from the sale of records by third parties such as Apple's iTunes or any other commercial usage not specified in the agreement, the lawsuit said. It said UMG had paid only a small fraction of what the band deserved, refused to renegotiate royalties for digital downloads and ringtones and had "wanton disregard" for obligations of the agreement. "UMG incurs practically no expenses or risks in connection with the Masters, particularly with respect to licensing other companies such as Apple to create and distribute digital downloads ... yet UMG reaps millions of dollars every year from such exploitation," the lawsuit said.

independentm...	Date: August 11, 2008 @ 11:33 PM Napster loosing even more money.

independentm...	Date: August 11, 2008 @ 11:36 PM Judge Buys 'P2P Equals Web Radio' Argument One person who bought that argument is U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, who lowered the fines imposed on a 16-year-old accused of downloading illegal files from $750 per song to $200 per song after she said she had no idea she was accessing copyrighted material.

independentm...	Date: August 12, 2008 @ 8:58 AM Wal-Mart claims all studio photos are against the law to copy

independentm...	Date: August 12, 2008 @ 9:08 AM The International Olympic Committee filed an abusive copyright infringement claim yesterday against YouTube for hosting video of a Free Tibet protest at the Chinese Consulate in Manhattan Thursday night.

independentm...	Date: August 12, 2008 @ 10:02 AM 2/3 of US corporations pay no taxes. More than 38,000 foreign corporations had no tax liability in 2005 and 1.2 million U.S. companies paid no income tax, the GAO said. Combined, the companies had $2.5 trillion in sales. About 25 percent of the U.S. corporations not paying corporate taxes were considered large corporations, meaning they had at least $250 million in assets or $50 million in receipts.

pessimist	Date: August 12, 2008 @ 11:49 AM So many topics; so little time. . . and not to mention the patience for how long it takes to refresh a website page. Re: "The International Olympic Committee filed an abusive copyright infringement claim yesterday against YouTube for hosting video of a Free Tibet protest at the Chinese Consulate in Manhattan Thursday night." What the committee SHOULDN'T do is what the U.S. shouldn't have done either, and that's give China a free pass regarding the abysmal way it has treated Tibet over the decades. China, with uncaring greed, took a docile, free country and unilaterally absorbed it. America caved in, too, long ago when granting China favorite nation status despite all their human rights abuses; I mean, even AFTER Tienneman Square! Speaking of despotic regimes, Russia is merely showing its devouring "bear" teeth that it hasn't used much since 1988. Whoever had been lauding the end of USSR communism for the past 20 years needed a rude awakening, I guess. Re: "2/3 of U.S. corporations pay little or no taxes" Foreign-based or not, American companies have been having a field day for the past 8 years of corporation-kissing Republican administration. As we know, it's not just big oil (although they're one of the most major offenders). BTW, the latter still have tax-break incentives in place, can you believe. One guess as to which party voted in Congress to keep that crap bankrolling along (indirectly funded by our tax dollars). Sick. I'd like to conversationally engage some of those red-state people who voted for GWB twice. I'd love to pick an argument with them regarding this type of thing and a few other matters as well. Granted, in some cases, both political parties voted wrong on certain bills in recent years. But it's usually the Repub dorks who kiss corporate ass. Bush and Cheney have been NOTORIOUS in that regard. But the worst Bush did was a pre-emptive strike against Iraq who was not to blame for 9/11 nor had active WMD's either -- with Pres. Bush KNOWING that. Probably it will be a trillion dollar debacle (causing such a drain on the federal debt, not to mention putting inflationary pressure on the dollar); loss of lives; diminishing of repect for America around the globe (due also to Bush's poor un-diplomatic demeanor and words, as well as allowing torture). Disgusting. Re: "Allman Bros. sue Univiversal for $10 million in unpaid royalties." Hats off to Gregg and Duane! More power to 'em. A few others have already done likewise, and I hope many more follow to make it a trend.

independentm...	Date: August 13, 2008 @ 10:14 AM pessimist, "In The News" and the other news threads seem to be working fine at DMusic, so try doing as much as you can there for the time being. Still don't know why Boycott-Riaa is being slow. (A badly coded ad probably.) ------ Boing Boing reports that Grateful Dead lyrics cannot be quoted in children's book.

independentm...	Date: August 13, 2008 @ 10:21 AM There are now at least three complaints being investigated in Michigan against the RIAA's unlicensed investigator, SafeNet a/k/a MediaSentry, one of which was filed by Central Michigan University itself.

independentm...	Date: August 13, 2008 @ 11:09 AM Steel guitarist Don Helms dies in Nashville Steel guitarist Don Helms, the last remaining member of Hank Williams' original Drifting Cowboys Band, has died from a heart attack, fellow performer Marty Stuart said.

independentm...	Date: August 13, 2008 @ 11:42 AM Singer-actress Vanessa Hudgens of the made-for-kids TV hit "High School Musical" is being sued by a producer who claims she reneged on a deal to share her earnings with him after he helped make her a star.

independentm...	Date: August 13, 2008 @ 11:46 AM Warner Music has bought a majority stake in a Spanish company specializing in artist management and touring as it seeks to expand on alternative sources of revenue taken from the artists.

independentm...	Date: August 13, 2008 @ 12:00 PM Bloggers were up in arms on Wednesday over China's decision at the Olympic opening ceremony to have a pretty little girl lip-synching for the real singer who had crooked teeth. lip sync sucks

independentm...	Date: August 13, 2008 @ 1:42 PM Tweens, teens increasingly turn to MySpace, iTunes, and P2P networks for music duh

independentm...	Date: August 13, 2008 @ 7:55 PM Remembering Don Helms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3xPZt9QTzY Don was one of "the steel guitar greats" and a peer/mentor of Andrea's dad I never had the pleasure of meeting Don myself, but Andrea and her family knew him well. He will be missed. :candle:

independentm...	Date: August 13, 2008 @ 8:00 PM Wikipedia says: ---- Don Helms (February 28, 1927 - August 11, 2008) was a steel guitarist best known as a member of Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboys group.[1] He was featured on over 100 Hank Williams recordings and was the signature steel guitar sound on almost every hit Hank had. On the Williams recordings Helms played a double neck 1948 Gibson Console Grande steel guitar which lacked the foot pedals found on the more modern pedal steel guitar, which did not come into prominence in country music until after Hank Williams' death in 1953. Born in New Brockton, Alabama, Helms performed with many country music artists throughout the years including playing steel guitar on Lefty Frizzell's recording of "Long Black Veil". In the late 1950s Don played on several early Johnny Cash recordings on Columbia Records, "The Fabulous Johnny Cash", "Now, There Was a Song!" and "Hymns by Johnny Cash". During the mid-1960s Helms played in the Wilburn Brothers backup band, The Nashville Tennesseans. He wrote Brenda Lee's first number one hit "Fool Number One" in exchange for getting Loretta Lynn a recording contract with Decca Records. Don Helms has played for all three Hank Williams (Sr., Jr., & III)[1], and wrote "The Ballad of Hank Williams" which he performed with Hank Jr. on "The Pressure Is On" LP Released in 1981. In the tune Don jokingly refers to being fired by both elder Hanks. In late 2007 Don Helms played with young honky tonk stylist Joey Allcorn and recorded several tracks in what would be one of his final recording sessions for an upcoming album by Mark David and the Nightly Lights.

autodidact	Date: August 14, 2008 @ 6:52 AM I don't think corporations should pay taxes. It's a tax on both rich and middle class people who own shares. Those taxes take away from dividends we could and should be earning. Take a lesson from Ireland. Lower corporate taxes, lower and lower. The economy thrives.

pessimist	Date: August 14, 2008 @ 2:25 PM Perusing the prospect of little or no taxes for, say, big oil corporations . . . I wonder what the of gasoline is in Ireland.

pessimist	Date: August 14, 2008 @ 2:27 PM (price of gasoline)

pessimist	Date: August 14, 2008 @ 2:37 PM Lower corporate taxes and the economy thrives? A trickle-down effect? Major oil has been making multi-billions of what could be called windfall profits (and they're still sailing on tax credits, too); how much of that enormous profit has trickled down to help us common peons? Instead, higher fuel has turned into higher prices all over the place, dampening the economy rather than helping it thrive. Actually, this is a prime case where those gluttons should be taxed (higher) and the funds put to good use, something other than $50,000,000 salaries for the top execs, for example.

pessimist	Date: August 15, 2008 @ 12:01 AM JACKSON BROWNE SUES JOHN McCAIN OVER SONG USE -- by Geoff Boucher Los Angeles Times, August 14, 2008 Jackson Browne is suing John McCain for using the song "Running on Empty" in a campaign ad — and the veteran rocker is also calling the candidate a great pretender when it comes to standing up for Constitutional rights. Browne, one of rock music's most famous activists for liberal causes, is "incensed" that the presumptive Republican candidate for president John McCain has been using Browne's signature 1977 song "Running on Empty" in campaign commercials, according to the singer/songwriter's attorney. Browne filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against both McCain and the Republican National Committee on August 14 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles seeking a permanent injunction prohibiting the use of the forlorn arena anthem or any other Browne compositions, as well as damages. McCain spokesman Brian Rogers told a reporter Seema Mehta in Colorado that the ad in question is not a McCain campaign ad but rather one put together by the Ohio Republican Party. But Browne's attorney, Lawrence Y. Iser, says they have the correct defendants. "We have sued the Ohio Republican Party as well, and we have good reason to believe that McCain and his campaign were well aware of the ad. We are also informed and believe that the ad was broadcast on television in Ohio and Pennsylvania.... The fact that it appears on the Internet means it also reaches an audience well beyond those states." Iser said the lawsuit "is not politically motivated. It's a copyright infringement lawsuit, pure and simple, but the fact that Sen. McCain has used this song in a hit-piece on Barack Obama is anathema to Jackson." Iser claims the McCain campaign has a track record of using music without permission. "They used a John Mellencamp song until he made them stop, and he also used an ABBA song and a Frankie Valli song -- and doing this sort of thing is setting a terrible example," Iser said. "It's shocking that they don't even attempt to get permission. There's no copyright difference between using a song to sell cars or by people running for president. A candidate for president has a duty to lead by example and ensuring their campaign does as well. Copyright protections are derived from the Constitution itself." In the commercial in question, Barack Obama is mocked for suggesting that the country conserve gas through proper tire inflation. The suit claims that use of the song violates the Lanham Act by falsely giving an impression that Browne is associated with or endorses the McCain candidacy. The suit also claims the commercial violates Browne's right of publicity under California law. Browne declined comment. The 59-year-old singer is one of the most politically immersed artists of his generation. He performed at the No-Nukes concerts in 1979 and, in the years after, his albums shifted strongly toward political messaging, such as his 1986 album, "Lives in the Balance," and its harsh appraisal of the Ronald Reagan years. There have been a number of instances through the years when performers have been angered by the use of their music by a politician. Bruce Springsteen, another No-Nukes performer, cried foul when Reagan, running for re-election, invoked the patriotic imagery of "Born in the U.S.A.," a song that is actually a dark essay on the fractured American dream. And during the 2004 presidential campaign, a cease and desist order was issued against the George W. Bush team for using the song "Still the One" by Orleans. Our colleague Dan Morain, who spends most of his time tracking campaign money, passes along some of Browne's contribution history. No surprise: Browne prefers Democrats. Morain reports that Browne, a modest campaign donor over the years, gave Obama $2,000 shortly after he won his Senate seat in 2004 and another $2,300 in March. Browne also has given about $5,500 to MoveOn.org, $5,266 to Rep. Lois Capps of Santa Barbara. And he's sent $1,000 to Al Franken, the Democratic Senate candidate in Minnesota, $500 to Ned Lamont for his 2006 run for the Senate seat in Connecticut. In the 2000 election, though, he went with Ralph Nader, giving the once and future presidential contender $2,000 for a race many Democrats still think cost Al Gore the White House.

INeedAlover	Date: August 15, 2008 @ 3:29 AM "Major oil has been making multi-billions of what could be called windfall profits " As a business student, I have to wonder HOW? How can the oil companies continue to make extraordinary 'windfall' profits when the cost of their raw material used to make gasoline is skyrocketing? The answer is easy and obvious - PRICE FIXING. Our government has become so useless in its endeavor to enforce anti-trust laws that is has allowed behemoths like Exxon and Mobil Oil to merge. They oil companies are so large, there is no competition for them to drive their prices down. So where is the Justice Department? Shouldn't they be doing something about this?? Shouldn't they be investigating and threatening to break up this monopolies??? No they are too busy chasing 12-year-old girls, dead grandmas, disabled moms and college students for downloading music. Did anyone really think that Congress would do anything about this? The dog and pony show they held recently when they dragged these companies before them was just that... a dog and pony show. Nothings been done and nothing will be. Unless we put people in Congress that ARE NOT Democrats and ARE NOT Republicans.

autodidact	Date: August 15, 2008 @ 12:13 PM "Lower corporate taxes and the economy thrives? A trickle-down effect?" "Major oil has been making multi-billions of what could be called windfall profits (and they're still sailing on tax credits, too); how much of that enormous profit has trickled down to help us common peons?" What is a windfall profit? Microsoft makes much more on their product than Exxon. I think many drug companies make a greater percentage on their product than oil. Why single oil companies out. At least oil is not a monopoly. The price is set by the market. The market has been influenced somewhat by speculation, but that works both ways -- look how fast the price has fallen in the past month. Also, for the oil companies to stay in business, they will have to find new oil and pump it. One of the suits from ConocoPhillips recently said to replace reserves now will cost about $100 barrel. I think he's not far off. Most of the easy barrels have already been discovered. Now they are drilling miles down into the Gulf of Mexico to find new oil. (Except the idiots in Congress won't let us drill in our waters. It's Cuba and Mexico and others. Is that dumb or what?) I just don't believe the government should be in the business of picking winners and losers. Looking at one man's pile of chips and saying, Oh, you have too many, I will take them away and give them to this other man who doesn't have as many chips. That's just theft. And I don't believe in punishing one industry more than another. Further, I wonder how many million American families own oil company stocks indirectly -- through the mutual funds they have for their retirement, or the retirement funds that their state or company manages for their retirement. When you put an extra tax on big oil, that WILL reduce benefits for millions of people who own those stocks. Many of those are ordinary middle class people -- over 50% of American households have some stake in the stock market, usually through mutual funds, and I daresay most of those funds own some oil company shares. But I do suggest you look at the economy of Ireland. They were not doing well economically, they had high government deficits. They started lowering tax rates, and business boomed. Actual taxes collected went up, and their debts became much more managable. Why wouldn't it work here? If we can control government spending, and help business instead of punishing it, we can grow out of our debt messes. Now you have brought up the subject of oil company tax breaks or incentives. I am not well-informed on the nature of those. But I oppose any special tax help or punishments to individual industries. All should be treated the same. Taxes should be low, fairly applied at the same rate, without all these loopholes. Like that's ever going to happen. INeedALover, I agree that the cause of our problems is bipartisan. But clearly the oil market is not fixed. There are many worldwide suppliers, and many buyers. And when demand moderates, prices come down. If we could just increase supplies, they would come down more. Why won't our government let us increase supplies?

pepe512000	Date: August 15, 2008 @ 12:22 PM http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/global_gasprices/ Ireland...4.78 a gallon. I'm moving to Venezuela.

pessimist	Date: August 15, 2008 @ 6:57 PM “If we could just increase supplies, they would come down more. Why won't our government let us increase supplies?” -- autodidact Let’s see, even Sen. McCain, not to mention other like-minded Republicans, must admit the many number of years it would take to have an effect (and even then, it would only be minor). That compelling “drill now” argument does serve a purpose or two, unfortunately unrelated to the relief that the average citizen needs now and in the near future. Tragically, back in the 1980’s, directing a national initiative toward self-sustaining alternate forms of energy is what would have been helping by now -- but guess what two-term President (hint: the trickle-down dreamer) during that decade quashed such notions (notions that the preceding President had advised)? Instead, the steering was set for increased dependence on foreign (primarily Middle-East) oil, which giants like Shell and others were quite content with. In the 70’s, some of those playing a shame game utilized tactics such as capping or decreasing domestic production from active wells, even delaying the unloading of oil tankers just to capitalize on “justification” to raise gasoline prices during a so-called acute shortage. At the time, big oil said to reporters, “we can’t get enough gasoline refined; the situation is a matter of supply and demand.” That was partly true (refineries’ amount of oil was limited); what they didn’t say was the whole truth why. It didn’t pertain only to OPEC, no sir. In fact, at one point a representative from an OPEC nation seemed quizzically puzzled why there was such a shortage of oil in America, since, in their words, the Middle East’s supply hadn’t been reduced that much. Another effect (purpose?) for the shortage was that independent gasoline companies (small companies competing with big oil) suffered the most by not having product to sell, and many went financially under. Subsequently, there was then less competition for the majors to have to contend with; how fortuitous that was for them. (Incidentally, during this time, yours truly worked for a number of years in a management position at a major international oil tool company; so, most of this inside-track stuff is vivid recall from memory. Since then, I’ve prided myself as being a disenchanted (recovering) executive, so to speak.) ________ REGARDING THE TOPIC OF U.S. CORPORATIONS AND TAXES: “Most U.S. firms paid no taxes over recent 7-year span” Carolyn Said, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer Wednesday, August 13, 2008 [excerpts] (08-13) 19:48 PDT -- When the taxman cometh, most corporations wave him on by, according to a government study released on Tuesday, August 12, 2008. About two-thirds of U.S. companies and foreign firms doing business in this country paid no federal income taxes from 1998 to 2005, according to a study by the Government Accountability Office. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., called the report "a shocking indictment of the current tax system." The report said indicated that approximately a quarter of large corporations -- ones that had more than $250 million in assets or $50 million in gross receipts -- paid no taxes at all. In 2005, for instance, 3,565 large U.S. companies and 998 large foreign-owned companies operating here did not pay any income taxes whatsoever. “The U.S. has a pretty high nominal corporate tax rate, but effectively it's not high at all," said Lenny Goldberg, executive director of the California Tax Reform Association in Sacramento. "There are many tax-avoidance schemes and strategies. We'd be far better off with a simpler structure that made sure taxes were actually paid by corporations." In fact, despite its high nominal rate, U.S. corporate taxes as a percentage of gross domestic product are lower than in most other industrialized nations. From 2000 to 2005, revenue from federal and state corporate income tax averaged 2.2 percent of the U.S. GDP, compared to an average of 3.4 percent in 30 of its trading-partner countries, according to the Treasury Department. Peter R. Merrill, a principal at PricewaterhouseCoopers, wrote an article in the publication Tax Analysts, underscoring this paradox. Data on corporate tax as a percentage of GDP "present a conundrum," he wrote. "The United States has the second highest combined statutory corporate tax rate among (the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries, yet is tied with Hungary in raising the fourth lowest amount of combined corporate income tax revenue relative to GDP in 2004." My comment: So, corporations aren’t paying nearly what they should, and that hurts the rest of our nation and its people. “In Ireland, they started lowering tax rates, and business boomed. Actual taxes collected went up, and their debts became much more managable. Why wouldn't it work here? Taxes should be low, fairly applied at the same rate, without loopholes.” -- autodidact Guess what lobbyists oppose a simple, fair, flat tax rate bill? It’s instructive to consider that prospect! (not just tax attorneys) A self-serving feature of large corporations is that they don’t want to play fair if they don’t have to; and, in order to get the best available enablers to satisfy their desires, a corporation’s structure and individual execs contribute to the campaign coffers of legislators. And familiar lobbyists greet the Congressmen near the latters’ office doors in Washington. (Traditionally, of course, corporate lobbyists have the greatest pull with Republicans.) In regard to your concern about stocks and mutual funds: This is not nearly as significant as the exorbitant costs of fuel which is impacting most sectors of the economy — contributing, along with the mortagage meltdown, to a dramatic downturn (recession) at present. “And I don't believe in punishing one industry more than another.” -- autodidact Industries SHOULD be held to standards and pay their fair share -- something that is NOT happening with many or most of the big guys. (And we don’t have to guess why.) Until things can change for the better, I’ll remain a pessimist. “Also, for the oil companies to stay in business, they will have to find new oil and pump it.” -- autodidact I’m guessing they would be the LAST corporations to go out of business. They’re conniving survivors. If they don’t find enough oil themselves, they’ll just buy it where they can, and indirectly we consumers will pay through the nose, which is what they want to have happen anyway, whether it’s oil they find or oil they buy. And since those bad-news mergers, they have more clout than ever. Actually, the last thing they really want is a bountiful supply; they won’t make their stupendous profits that way, will they now? Additionally, with the track record of these major players, I’d be very surprised if they didn’t own more oil (drilled and undrilled) in undisclosed locations than they’d ever be inclined to fully reveal. “If we could just increase supplies, they would come down more.” -- autodidact Maybe if we could just get the big oil companies to disclose just how much oil they really DO have control over above ground and under (not that that’ll ever happen). . . Maybe if we could just compel the automakers to produce cars using much less petroleum. . . even though that didn’t happen previously because big oil’s influence on them and in Washington was too great. But maybe now we could consider running a car on the technology of splitting water molecules (to supplement the hybrid concept). Oh, wait; the big boys ain’t-a-gonna take dat lyin’ down either. I wrote: “Major oil has been making multi-billions of what could be called windfall profits." INeedAlover wrote that they are able to fix prices. “Our government has become so useless in its endeavor to enforce anti-trust laws that is has allowed behemoths like Exxon and Mobil Oil to merge. They oil companies are so large, there is no competition for them to drive their prices down.” I say, true dat. INeedAlover wrote: “Shouldn’t the Justice Department be investigating and threatening to break up these monopolies?” As you and I know, the old addage “Follow the money” really applies in so many ways, corporately and politically. I appreciate your input (and insight). autodidact wrote: “What is a windfall profit? Microsoft makes much more on their product than Exxon-Mobil. I think many drug companies make a greater percentage on their product than oil.” As far as I’m concerned, you’ve just about nailed the three worst offenders right there! Finally, there’s a little philosophy that can be interjected into the mix: "To understand anything, it is essential to comprehend what it is not." — Dr. James Kennedy A corporation has all the benefits of a man, but without guidance of a conscience... Self-control is an unnatural attribute that requires motivation to act responsibly. Who guides big business to be honorable? The corporation concept is flawed to the extent that it is skewed away from practical accountability as to its effects on society; in various instances, the welfare of the public at large is not adequately served. This criticism is not a repudiation of capitalism. Rather, a nation’s people should not tolerate injustice or glaring irresponsibility from a business entity any more than they should exempt a citizen from same. But, alas, how can the public have power when the wealth and power belong to the military-industrial complex (ohmygosh, I just quoted a Republican’s good phrase there)! Autodidact, our perspectives come from two fairly opposite ends of the spectrum. I can only hope that the future of our once great nation is not fated to be the continuance of the types of excesses (yea, even decadence at times) that is seen too often in corporate circles, in Wall Street, in banking & finance, in military endeavors, and in politics. I could go further and pine about the deterioration of social structures, too, especially since that would not be unexpected from someone who calls himself a pessimist. . . but I’ll defer to a different occasion to vent along those lines. Adieu.

autodidact	Date: August 16, 2008 @ 5:50 PM Pandora radio not dead yet, but coughing up blood. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/15/AR2008081503367.html

independentm...	Date: August 16, 2008 @ 8:25 PM RIAA has to pay Tanya Andersen $107,951 "Well, Phase I of the RIAA's misguided pursuit of an innocent, disabled Oregon woman, Atlantic v. Andersen, has finally drawn to a close, as the RIAA was forced to pay Ms. Andersen $107,951, representing the amount of her attorneys fee judgment plus interest. But as some have pointed out, reimbursement for legal fees doesn't compensate Ms. Andersen for the other damages she's sustained. And that's where Phase II comes in, Andersen v. Atlantic. There the shoe is on the other foot, and Tanya is one doing the hunting, as she pursues the record companies and their running dogs for malicious prosecution. Should be interesting."

independentm...	Date: August 16, 2008 @ 8:44 PM CNet has a story about a shady DC lobbying group called LawMedia Group, being paid by Microsoft and Comcast to Astroturf against Net Neutrality.

independentm...	Date: August 16, 2008 @ 9:28 PM Out-Law is reporting that the British government is planning to increase the maximum fine that can be awarded for online copyright infringement tenfold. The larger fine is proposed for commercial scale infringements, where the person involved profits from the infringement. The plan would implement another of the recommendations of the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property, the 2006 report by former Financial Times editor Andrew Gowers which has been the foundation of intellectual property policy since its publication."

independentm...	Date: August 16, 2008 @ 9:31 PM Germany only to go after those who share more than 3000 songs or 200 movies.

independentm...	Date: August 16, 2008 @ 11:44 PM Jerry Wexler R.I.P. :candle:

independentm...	Date: August 18, 2008 @ 4:11 PM Elektra v. Barker is settled

independentm...	Date: August 18, 2008 @ 5:04 PM Road rage filmer writes about his media experience "[T]he frenzy around it was unsettling to me; as soon as it was published (including some really stupid factual errors) the story was around the world and it made me wonder: how accurate are the stories I know nothing about but read all the time? If something as small as this could have errors in it (some of which I won't go into as they really should be kept in the courtroom, as far as I'm concerned) because of a feeding frenzy does that bode well for our acceptance of everything else we read in the Oregonian or hear on the Today show? A small example: somewhere, somebody got the idea the video was taken with a cell phone and you can tell from the headlines that the media thought this was a cool concept. My cell phone doesn't even take stills, let alone video, but never mind: CELL PHONE CAPTURES ROAD RAGE INCIDENT, blared the trumpets. As a guitar player I know only too well that you can't take back a note once it's been played." - Rick Adams

independentm...	Date: August 18, 2008 @ 5:08 PM Ignore That Logo Under The Duct Tape The Olympic Sponsor's take a cue from the RIAA labels.

independentm...	Date: August 18, 2008 @ 5:12 PM Cory Doctorow endorses Anne Legace Dowson "The NDP has also led the pack on criticising the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, another secretly negotiated proposal, this time for a global treaty on copyright that would dramatically increase the search, seizure and surveillance obligations to Canada and other signatories, forcing them to spy on everyday individuals to protect the profits of a few giant record companies."

independentm...	Date: August 18, 2008 @ 5:14 PM Cory Doctorow's Cambridge Business Lecture, given 22nd July, 2008 "Life in the Information Economy"

independentm...	Date: August 18, 2008 @ 5:27 PM At least 1/3 of all PC's infected with Vista end up being downgraded to XP in order to make them marginally useable.

independentm...	Date: August 18, 2008 @ 6:05 PM Entertainment">http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20219751,00.html">Entertainment Weekly picks the 20 worst covers of all time and gets some right!

independentm...	Date: August 18, 2008 @ 6:24 PM Jared Leto responds to EMI lawsuit "A little history... We had been signed to our record contract for 9 years. Basically, under California law, where we live and signed our deal, one cannot be bound to a contract for more than 7 years. This is widely known by all the record companies and has been for years. In fact, so aware of it are they that they desperately try to make deals outside of California whenever possible. It is a law that protects people from lengthy, unfair, career-spanning contracts. This law also gave us the legal right to explore other possible opportunities. Yes we have been sued by EMI. But NOT for failing to deliver music or for 'quitting'. We have been sued by the corporation quite simply because roughly 45 days ago we exercised our legal right to terminate our old, out of date contract, which, according to the law is null and void. ...A few things to note... If you think the fact that we have sold in excess of 2 million records and have never been paid a penny is pretty unbelievable, well, so do we. And the fact that EMI informed us that not only aren't they going to pay us AT ALL but that we are still 1.4 million dollars in debt to them is even crazier. That the next record we make will be used to pay off that old supposed debt just makes you start wondering what is going on. Shouldn't a record company be able to turn a profit from selling that many records? Or, at the very least, break even? We think so."

independentm...	Date: August 18, 2008 @ 7:37 PM http://lukket.dk/homecomputer/pix/sanobispo.jpg

independentm...	Date: August 18, 2008 @ 8:33 PM Lyric Culture pays songwriters for their words. Personally, I don't like the tone of the article. (1st 3 words: "Online music thieves"...) But, meh. Whatevah

independentm...	Date: August 18, 2008 @ 8:35 PM With its tagline, "upload. share. archive.", it may have been inevitable that the magazine-sharing Web site Mygazines.com would face allegations of copyright infringement.

pessimist	Date: August 19, 2008 @ 5:59 AM Re: "Entertainment Weekly picks the 20 worst covers of all time and gets some right!" Indeed they did. I was very interested in one of the loser covers involving "Whitney Houston's screeching and caterwauling" . . . ROFL!!! I'm relieved that finally somebody called a spade a spade. I've thought that way about her singing style for a long time (not only applicable to the specific cover being described at Entertainment Weekly). On a number of songs, she starts out nicely but then things go downhill.

independentm...	Date: August 19, 2008 @ 12:48 PM Judge rules man can't be forced to divulge his encryption password.

independentm...	Date: August 19, 2008 @ 12:49 PM I know you didn't mean it that way pessimist, but "I'm relieved that finally somebody called a spade a spade." might be considered a racist statement on your part. (lol)

independentm...	Date: August 19, 2008 @ 1:22 PM Pervis Jackson of the Spinners, R.I.P. :candle:

independentm...	Date: August 19, 2008 @ 1:27 PM 11 things Pc World hates about iTunes.

independentm...	Date: August 19, 2008 @ 1:37 PM Video Game industry takes cue from the RIAA and goes after those who share games online.

independentm...	Date: August 19, 2008 @ 2:03 PM $20 million dollar Rhode Island nightclub fire settlement

pessimist	Date: August 19, 2008 @ 2:51 PM Shmoo wrote: I know you didn't mean it that way, pessimist, but "I'm relieved that finally somebody called a spade a spade" might be considered a racist statement on your part. (lol) That's why I hadn't ever said anything negative previously about her "caterwauling" (Entertainment Weekly's word) -- afraid of just what you said. Actually, her ethnicity makes no difference; I've wanted to criticize her singing style for a long time but didn't have the guts to do it before that article appeared. Too much vocal wavering; her unnecessary up and down notes deviating from the melody line are distracting. I realize she's wanting to express unique individuality, but she goes too far. And then you consider the "screeching" effect, too . . . well, enough said. And just to be fair, I'll plan to write some poison pen stuff about a few other singers of the past several decades that deserve the razzing buzzer treatment, too, but they won't be minorities. There's no shortage of 'em. Hmm. I think I'll jot down a few on a notepad now while this topic is fresh on my mind . . .

pessimist	Date: August 19, 2008 @ 3:03 PM You know what, I'll limit the list to those singers (no genres excepted) who have recorded several songs that could notably fit the "caterwauling" category. Should be fun. Anybody want to help?

pessimist	Date: August 19, 2008 @ 3:07 PM I'm bound to stir up an enemy or two staying this, but Janis Joplin fits this type of profile like a custom glove. (overly dramatic, OVERDONE belting-out vocal style) I'm feeling really contentious about now. (But I know I won't get away with it... stepping on people's toes, I mean. Telling the truth always hurts people, and they get mad.)

pessimist	Date: August 19, 2008 @ 3:23 PM But I'm prepared to fire right back with at least a platitude or two: You know, popular music isn't always good music; good music isn't always popular. The same thing with successful singers sometimes. They were in the right place at the right time, filling a niche, etc.; that kind of stuff.

independentm...	Date: August 19, 2008 @ 3:42 PM lol, pessimist, you can bash her singing style all you want without being mistaken as a racist... but "spade" is a racial derogatory term on par with the "n-word" (did you not know?) lol

independentm...	Date: August 20, 2008 @ 8:22 AM RIP: DMB's Leroi Moore :candle:

pessimist	Date: August 20, 2008 @ 12:25 PM "spade" is a racial derogatory term on par with the "n-word" (did you not know?) lol admittedly, wasn't aware of that at all; I grew up with that expression referring to being honest and calling things as they are interesting; where was I when that phrase changed and got associated with something ethically demeaning?? wowww . . .

pessimist	Date: August 20, 2008 @ 12:26 PM (ethnically demeaning, I meant)

independentm...	Date: August 20, 2008 @ 1:04 PM "spade" is an old term that may have fallen out of use in post baby-boomer generations.

independentm...	Date: August 20, 2008 @ 1:53 PM Thousands of UK people suspected of sharing music, films and games over the Internet will be pursued through the courts for damages, lawyers for entertainment companies said on Wednesday.

autodidact	Date: August 24, 2008 @ 4:10 AM According to her website, indie artist (got her own record label Ye Olde Records) Juliana Hatfield is set to appear on the Jay Leno show tomorrow night, August 25. Her new album was produced by another independent with his own label, Andy Chase (of the band Brookville, on his own label Unfiltered Records). Support non-riaa music! Especially the good stuff, like Hatfield and Chase.

pepe512000	Date: August 24, 2008 @ 3:16 PM So much for Obama. Why would he pick a running mate that is Pro-RIAA? This bites! http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/08/24/joe_bidens_proriaa_profbi_tech_voting_record.html

autodidact	Date: August 24, 2008 @ 4:14 PM Truth is the VP pick cannot usually help a candidate. The best to hope for is that that he does not hurt him. Maybe at the outside he will help a candidate pick up his home state. (Edwards could not even do that much for Kerry.) I suspect that Delaware was already blue for Obama. But apart from his apparent enthrallment to the RIAA, Biden is a decent choice. I don't think those who want progressive thinking on IP will find much cheer in either candidate this year.

pessimist	Date: August 24, 2008 @ 8:44 PM "Why would Obama pick a running mate that is pro-RIAA?" It could be said that Obama is looking at a larger picture: Biden can strengthen the ticket's foreign affairs credentials. Biden can counter the scorched-earth attacks from McCain's camp. Autodidact is correct in what he wrote. On balance, the concerns of independent artists and internet freedom don't matter significantly to either political party. (How much lobbying funds are generated from indie artists and internet freedom?)

independentm...	Date: August 24, 2008 @ 9:29 PM The RIAA is now going after EA games Sims Karaoke? On Stage states that new developments with "licensing issues" are forcing them to take down a bunch of peoples performances.

independentm...	Date: August 24, 2008 @ 9:35 PM OUCH! the Doors' keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger will have to fork over more than $5 million in damages to drummer John Densmore and the heirs of Jim Morrison for touring as "The Doors of the 21st Century" in 2002 without permission.

independentm...	Date: August 24, 2008 @ 9:38 PM Wireless charging of your laptop and iPod? Tesla.

independentm...	Date: August 24, 2008 @ 9:40 PM Sheryl Crow trading free downloads for your vote. Knowing her, I'm sure they are DRM infected.

independentm...	Date: August 24, 2008 @ 9:44 PM M$ and Adobe in a war over flash. Both techs are anti end-user IMHO.

independentm...	Date: August 24, 2008 @ 9:47 PM Following a Federal Communications Commission ruling that Comcast blocked Internet traffic and ordering the company to submit a compliance plan about how it intends to stop "discriminatory management practices," Comcast is planning a new traffic-managing system.

autodidact	Date: August 25, 2008 @ 6:12 AM Ha, given what Sheryl Crow has produced in the last few years, why would I want a download? I am partial to selected songs she did in her earlier career, but lately it has sounded tired. "I hope people wake up and emotionally engage in issues." OK Cheryl. I'm emotionally engaged. Every time I put gas in the car, I get emotional. Though she has a good idea -- I should make it a goal to register three new conservatives to vote.

pepe512000	Date: August 25, 2008 @ 7:00 AM Barenaked Ladies' Robertson survives plane crash These guys can't stay out of the news lately for some strange thing happening to one of the other.

independentm...	Date: August 25, 2008 @ 9:39 AM Warner Bros. has filed a lawsuit against Mumbai-based producer/distributor Mirchi Movies related to the title of its upcoming film "Hari Puttar -- A Comedy of Terrors," which Warners feels is a tad too similar to its franchise about a certain young wizard.

autodidact	Date: August 25, 2008 @ 4:48 PM Sounds like a Harry Potter parody to me, though. What's copyright law like in India?

independentm...	Date: August 26, 2008 @ 11:42 AM Spike Tv's list of the "7 Baddest Women of Rock" ...seems to me we have a few "bad rock & roll women" right here at DMusic that belong on the list! :)

independentm...	Date: August 26, 2008 @ 12:10 PM Isaac Hayes' Family Wants Songs Back The singer's back catalog, which includes classics such as "Do Your Thing" and "Theme from Shaft," was sold for $30,000 on the orders of a court following his bankruptcy in 1976. -------------- They can make you sell your copyrights when you file bankruptcy??? Damn, we GOTTA bankrupt the RIAA labels even quicker!

independentm...	Date: August 26, 2008 @ 12:33 PM (Make 'em sell back all the artist's copyrights!)

INeedAlover	Date: August 27, 2008 @ 2:05 AM Gee, is everyone so young at Spike TV that they've never heard of Pat Benatar? And why limit the list to only 7, haven't they heard of a top 10 list? Or can't they count that high?? Very shameful that one of the premier ladies of Rock and Roll isn't on this list.

independentm...	Date: August 27, 2008 @ 2:11 PM Replacements drummer Steve Foley, RIP

independentm...	Date: August 27, 2008 @ 2:16 PM A panel of federal appeals court judges pushed a U.S. government lawyer on Wednesday to answer why FBI letters sent out to Internet service providers seeking information should remain secret.

pessimist	Date: August 27, 2008 @ 9:11 PM FBI arrests man for posting Guns N' Roses songs on internet! By Alex Dobuzinskis Thu, Aug 28, 2008 1:55am EDT LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Federal agents on Wednesday arrested a man on suspicion of violating copyright laws for placing songs on the Internet from an unreleased album by rock band Guns N' Roses. http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN2749317120080828

pessimist	Date: August 27, 2008 @ 9:12 PM This is major. Someone, make a separate article at our website about this.

pepe512000	Date: August 28, 2008 @ 2:50 AM Major? This is positively unconscionable.Can they even do this?. I hope Guns N Roses goes down n flames!

independentm...	Date: August 30, 2008 @ 6:10 PM Source REZNOR became rich and famous thanks to the traditional music industry and now has the ability to give his music away because of the money he makes from touring and from die-hard fans who will still buy CDs even after downloading the music. That's made him a target of criticism from some newer artists who have the less fortunate timing of starting their careers after platinum albums have become truly rare. Reznor has mixed feelings; he enjoys working outside the larger corporate system, but his pride hates to think of art discounted. "As an artist, I don't feel that it should be free; it's my life's work," he said. "Record labels trained [fans] to mistrust them and feel ripped off by them, and now the technology exists that you can just take stuff. I understand why people feel it's OK, and I say, 'I can't fight that fight.' I look at the way the cards have been dealt and make the most of it. There is also another side of me that wants the world to hear the music, whether you've paid for it or not, I want you to hear it. And people are hearing it."

independentm...	Date: August 30, 2008 @ 6:15 PM Mythbusters Adam Savage tells hacker audience about credit card companies bullying the Discovery Channel out of airing a segment on how crappy RFID security really is.

autodidact	Date: August 31, 2008 @ 8:37 AM OK, I heard Reznor's last album that he made under a major label -- from the library -- it wasn't bad, but I wouldn't listen again, for free or for a fee. Still, he's the one that was telling fans during his concerts to steal his album (because the label had priced it artificially high). I like his attitude, not so much his art.

independentm...	Date: September 2, 2008 @ 11:45 AM Another "Vinyl is making a comeback" story!

independentm...	Date: September 3, 2008 @ 12:56 PM RIP Bill Melendez :candle: for :snoopy:

ShadowMom	Date: September 7, 2008 @ 3:47 AM GOP Ignores Copyrights, Raises Ire of Multiple Recording Artists Seems to me a few years ago, McCain was well aware of copyright law. Guess he forgot. Gee, as it turns out, that side of the political spectrum is just a hotbed of copyright infringers. Jackson Browne Sues GOP And McCain Campaign

autodidact	Date: September 7, 2008 @ 6:02 PM I would personally like to see a liberal policy on using clips from movies or songs in political campaigns. It would be much more entertaining. For example, using clips from Rambo in an anti-McCain commercial to highlight his warlike tendencies. ;-) From the same story, I found this interesting: "Warner Music Group (WMG) appears to have demanded that YouTube remove 'Obama Love,' a montage of press fawning over Sen. Barack Obama that had been posted on Sen. John McCain's official YouTube channel. 'This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Warner Music Group,' says a message on YouTube. The video, set to Frankie Valli's 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You,' had the makings of a rare viral hit for McCain. It had been viewed more than 200,000 times in its first three day on the Web, and helped McCain beat Obama in total views on YouTube over the past week." I think this is clearly a wrong ruling. It is satire, and clearly a transformative use. That's fair use, isn't it?

pessimist	Date: September 8, 2008 @ 6:52 AM Related issue: I hate politicians who are disingenuous. (I guess that means I hate politicians, period.)