Digital Music News (digitalmusicnews.com)

Last.fm Flips the Subscription Switch… In Smaller Markets

March 24, 2009

Last.fm is finally spinning a subscription-based offering, at least outside of the US, UK, and Germany. In smaller markets, access to the custom-tailored, Last.fm radio service will soon cost 3 euros ($4.05)... Read More...

Department of Justice Jumps Into Harvard v. RIAA

Paul Resnikoff

March 23, 2009

Joel Tenenbaum was once a typical, file-swapping student. Now, Tenenbaum is at the center of a lawsuit that involves Harvard University, major recording labels, and the United States Government. In Sony BMG M... Read More...

Spiralfrog Sunk: Site Goes Dark, Scant Assets Remain

Paul Resnikoff

March 18, 2009

Spiralfrog missed a critical lily pad this week. The distressed company is now dead, based on an inability to meet financial obligations and manage critical backend expenses. During the day on Thursday, spiralfrog.com showed a 404, with no sight of a recover... Read More...

Live Nation and the Shifty $6 Parking Fee

Alexandra Osorio

March 18, 2009

Concertgoers hate fees, though they usually stomach the extras to see their favorite acts. Still, some tricky surcharging is causing a stir in New Jersey, specifically at Live Nation-operated PNC Bank Arts C... Read More...

Need Funding? Then Talk to the Ex-President of Warner Music Group

Bonus Backlash Brushes Bronfman; $3 Million Top-Off Gets Focus

Alexandra Osorio

March 18, 2009

A major backlash against huge bonuses at companies like AIG, ultimately paid by taxpayers, is now spreading to private concerns. Warner Music Group is not receiving federal bailout funds, yet a massive bonus... Read More...

Breaking: Passalong Networks Shutting Down; Top Execs Departing

Paul Resnikoff

March 14, 2009

Passalong Networks is now winding down and looking to sell its various business units, according to details confirmed by Digital Music News late Monday. The shutdown process already involves the departures of several top executives, including SVP of Corpora... Read More...

U2 Catching the Airborne Toxic Event

Paul Resnikoff

March 12, 2009

The contagion keeps spreading on the Airborne Toxic Event, a buzz-band recently signed to Island Def Jam. The group is currently on tour in the US, touching southeast cities and landing in Austin at SXSW next ... Read More...

Who’s Afraid of the LimeWire Darknet?

Paul Resnikoff

March 10, 2009

One-to-one, private sharing has been a staple of the file-trading scene since the late-90s. Users can share enormous files through apps like AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), or even email and shared virtual host... Read More...

Analyst Beats Down Apple; Slow iPhone Sales Ahead

Alexandra Osorio

March 6, 2009

Is Apple suddenly feeling its mortality in this deep recessionary climate? Initially, the Apple glow seemed enough to surpass consumer fears, though the magic started to ebb during the Christmas quarter. Instead of breakneck sales, the iPhone dipped quarte... Read More...

Resnikoff’s Parting Shot: The Vevo Challenge

Paul Resnikoff

March 5, 2009

Doug Morris was the first to rattle the cage on the YouTube 'relationship,' if it could be called that several years ago. After all, why was YouTube (and MySpace, Yahoo, and everyone else) getting major labe... Read More...

Principles for Musician Compensation in New Business Models

Paul Resnikoff

March 5, 2009

Is anyone getting paid off of digital? Talk to managers and artists, and the answer is often no. At a top level, digital formats have failed to produce the bonanza once envisioned, though the trickle-down on ... Read More...

Why Is U2 Projecting So Low? The Dirty Data Details

Paul Resnikoff

March 4, 2009

How will U2's No Line on the Horizon perform during its debut week? After its first full day of release on Tuesday, the album continues to draw bearish predictions. On Tuesday evening, retail analysts canvassed by Digital Music News offered a weekly sales ... Read More...