| Singles no. 1's |
| US |
Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera
Moves Like Jagger |
| UK |
Sac Noel
Loca People |
| AU |
Gotye & Kimbra
Somebody That I Used To Know |
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15-12-04 |
MPAA after eDonkey and BitTorrent
The MPAA is suing on two of the biggest peer-to-peer networks. The trade
organisation is said to be working with law enforcement authorities in the US
and Europe to arrest individuals and groups who run indexing servers for eDonkey
and BitTorrent. A recent study found that eDonkey was the most popular P2P
network in November, while BitTorrent is regarded as the fastest growing.
Legally P2P networks themselves cannot be shut down, but indexing servers that
help users locate and download pirated content can. The fact that Napster ran
such servers, while Grokster and Streamcast Networks do not, was cited by lower
US courts as a key reason why Napster was ruled illegal but the newer networks
were not. |
|
09-12-04 |
Mary J. Blige
makes new track available for download
Mary J. Blige has released her version of The Emotions "Best Of My Love" as a
digital download. The song was recorded for a Gap television commercial that ran
in the US. The ad features Sarah Jessica Parker, John Duhamel and Mary J. Blige.
Blige is currently working on her next studio album which won't be out until
late 2005. |
|
03-12-04 |
Kazaa accused of being able to trace and filter copyright-protected material
Despite objections from Sharman Networks' counsel, the Federal Court Justice
judge in the case against Kazaa allowed an anti-piracy services provider to give
evidence at the civil trial against the peer-to-peer software program. The
anti-piracy company claimed that it was able to identify Australian users of the
Kazaa software by tracking the IP address. The IP addresses allocated for
Internet service providers in Australia could be traced through scanners that
the company used in tracking down sound recordings and user information within
the Kazaa system. the company was also able to detect the copyright infringing
music files made available for download in the Kazaa system's shared folders and
that it was doing what any ordinary user of the Kazaa system was able to do. The
statement is critical to the claim that Sharman Networks can use the Kazaa
software to identify users who are downloading copyright-infringing materials
and communicate with the users at the same time. Kazaa has maintained that it is
not able to control how Kazaa users use the software and that trials of
filtering have failed in the past.
New
Ryan Adams track available online
Ryan Adams has released a new limited edition single through his official
website. The track is tield "Now That You’re Gone" and is the first new track to
be released by Adams since he broke his wrist at the start of the year falling
off a stage in Liverpool. The song is out on vinyl and is backed by "If I’m A
Stranger." |
|
28-10-04 |
RIAA to grant Awards for downloads
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has introduced
the "Digital Sales Award," allowing downloads to receive Gold and Platinum
awards. Platinum will be awarded for 200,000 downloads and Gold is granted at
100,000 downloads. Outkast are the first act to receive a multi-platinum award
for a download with their song "Roses." |
|
07-10-04 |
New
online music service JetGroove provides underground music
JetGroove is a new player in the on-line music market and has just launched its
service as "the largest underground music provider." JetGroove (http://www.jetgroove.com)
is a legal service for mp3 downloads offering a diverse and large selection of
music made by independent record labels in one place as JetGroove's collection
consists of more then half a million tracks. All tracks on the website are in
the mp3 format and users can buy whole releases, as well as separate tracks.
RIAA
sues 762 more online music swappers
The The Recording Industry Association of America has filed a new
round of lawsuits against 762 people it suspects of distributing its songs for
free over Internet networks like Kazaa and eDonkey. The RIAA has now sued
about 5,400 people over the past year in an effort to discourage online song
swapping that it claims has cut into CD sales. The RIAA typically settles
copyright-infringement suits for around $5,000 each. |
|
22-09-04 |
New REM album tracks available
online
REM is making new tracks from their upcoming new album "Around The Sun" avalable
online through MySpace.com. For the next two weeks, visitors to MySpace will be
able to play tracks from the album for free. The site will also offer links to
tour dates, an iTunes clips sampler, photos and mobile ring tones and
wallpapers. MySpace.com currently has about 4 million registered users, although
there is no need to register in order to listen to the album. |
|
16-09-04 |
Yahoo buys Musicmatch
Yahoo is buying online music provider Musicmatch for $160 million. Musicmatch
will provide Yahoo with two features that the company currently does not offer:
an online music store that sells individual songs for 99 cents apiece and a
popular software program that helps manage digital music on computer desktops.
Musicmatch's digital jukebox is available in ten languages and includes 700,000
songs. |
|
25-08-04 |
Court rules file-sharing
programs as legal
A federal appeals court has upheld a court decision that said file-sharing
software programs such as Grokster or Morpheus are legal. The court has ruled
that peer-to-peer software developers were not liable for any copyright
infringement committed by people using their products, as long as they had no
direct ability to stop the acts. The ruling means that companies that write and
distribute peer-to-peer software can't be shut down because of the actions of
their customers.
Previously unreleased Oasis live track available for download
Next month, Oasis' "Definitely Maybe" is to be released as a DVD,
featuring the original album accompanied by an hour-long documentary about the
making of the album. The DVD includes rare and contemporary interviews with the
band, label, friends and entourage, memorable live and TV performances of
"Definitely Maybe"’s twelve tracks. A previously unreleased live version of
"Colombia", recorded at the Chicago Metro on March 15 1994, can be downloaded at
http://www.7digitalmedia.com/downloads/oasis/default.asp?partner=1. |
|
29-07-04 |
RealNetworks
makes downloads compatible with Apple's IPod
RealNetworks has unveiled new software that will make downloads from its online
music store compatible with any portable media player, including Apple's iPod.
The move could potentially allow users to take music from Real's store and
transfer it to any popular music device, as opposed to the single MP3 player
that supports its format now. Until now, iPod has only supported digitally
protected songs, which carry restrictions on their use, and can only be
purchased from Apple's own iTunes Music Store. RealNetworks has announced that
its new Harmony software will make commercial songs from its RealPlayer Music
Store compatible with FairPlay, the digital rights management standard Apple
uses to protect songs from unauthorized copying and playback. |
|
23-07-04 |
iMesh reaches settles
with recording industry
P2P application iMesh has announced that it has reached a resolution with
leading record labels who filed a lawsuit in 2003. The record labels alleged
that the company contributed to digital copyright infringements via the iMesh
network. iMesh is planning to launch a new file sharing network later this year.
iMesh will offer a spyware-free and safe file sharing environment. |
|
30-06-04 |
File-sharing still growing
There has been no decline in file-sharing, despite current legal action against
file sharers. File-sharing in Europe has not dropped, but there's a 5% drop from
70% to 65% in the US over last year. However, overall file-sharing has slightly
grown. Research has revealed that US file-traders use eDonkey more than Kazaa
now. This is thought to be caused by the fact the RIAA has only sued people who
are using KaZaa. |
|
23-06-04 |
RIAA sues more online
music-swappers
The Recording Industry Association of America has launched a new round of
lawsuits against online music-swappers, targeting another 482 individuals around
the US. As with previous suits filed by the music industry group, the "John Doe"
lawsuits come without names attached. The new round brings the total number of
people sued in the United States for trading music online to 3,429. |
|
17-06-04 |
Weezer's River Cuomo makes own version of John Denver's Annie's Song available
online
Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo has recorded a cover of John Denver's classic
"Annie's Song," which is available for dowload on his personal homepage. Other
songs for download are Ann Poonkasem's "Invincible" and "Tomorrow" from the
Annie musical. His personal website can be found at
http://www.myspace.com/riverscuomo.
New Pixies
songs availableonline only
The Pixies have recorded a new song, which is their first in more than 13 years.
The track, titled "Bam Thwok," is available exclusively
through iTunes for download only. The Pixies are currently not signed to any
label, so the download option was the best way to reach their fans. |
|
10-06-04 |
iTunes to enter
European online download market
Apple is planning to enter the European music download market, with a possible
launch date as early as the June 15. Apple blames the late arrival on red tape
generated by the music labels in Europe. iTunes will have competition to play
against. OD2 is a well established player in the market, with backing from over
30 partners, including Microsoft and Coca-Cola. Europe is a considerably smaller
market than the US. From January to mid-May, European services collectively sold
500,000 tracks, where 70 million tracks were sold by iTunes alone in their first
year of serving the US market. |
|
12-05-04 |
Downloads exceed single sales
Downloads are taking over single sales in the US by more than 10 to 1. Last
week, 2.2 million downloads were sold compared to 137,000 singles. The number
one download sold around 50% more than the number one single: Hoobastank's “The
Reason” was downloaded 14,279 times compared to Clay Aiken “The Solitary Way,”
which sold 10,500 units as CD single. The number two download “Roses” by Outkast
sold 9,500 units compared to the number two single JoJo “Leave (Get Out),” which
sold 5,700 units. So far this year, 2.9 million singles have sold in the US
compared with 25.3 million downloads. |
|
05-05-04 |
Sony to launch online music store
Sony has announced a US version of its "Connect" online music store.
The service promises a big selection of more than 500,000 tracks from all major and many independent
music labels, as well as exclusive content. Sony is also trying to enforce yet
another audio compression standard. Files on Connect are compressed using Sony's
proprietary ATRAC3™ audio compression.
Kazaa no
longer number one downloaded fiel exchange software
Kazaa is no longer the top downloaded software at Download.com.
For almost as long as Kazaa has existed, it has been a mainstay on Download.com.
However. over time the quality of Kazaa has degraded, as additional third party
software was added. With the addition of third party software, many individuals
have complained about degrading computer performance. |
|
28-04-04 |
New Beastie Boys
album available online for preview
The Beastie are releasing material from their forthcoming album "To
The 5 Boroughd" as well as their entire back catalogue through Apple's iTunes
online music download store. The rappers are premiering "Ch-Check It Out"
digitally, giving fans an exclusive preview of their new album. The Beastie Boys
have also made their entire back catalogue available for downloading service.
New online download
service exclusively for college students
Ctrax, a joint venture of online music service provider MusicNet and
digital video services company Cflix, is exclusively for college students. Songs
downloaded from Ctrax will cost less than 99 cents per track. A test version of
the service was launched on Tuesday at Yale University and by the fall semester
Ctrax expects to have as many as 20 US colleges and universities onboard. Ctrax
users have access to the 700,000 songs in the MusicNet library, and because the
files will be stored on the schools' own networks, it promises faster and more
reliable delivery than conventional services.
iTunes
celebrates first birthday
iTunes is celebrating its first birthday with the launch of new download
services and free MP3s. Music fans have bought more than 70 million tracks on
the service over the past 12 months and to celebrate this, Apple is launching
the third generation iTunes Music Store, featuring a catalogue of 700,000 songs
from across major and independent record labels, and some brand new features.
iMix allows users to publish the playlists of their favourite songs for other
users to preview, rate and purchase, creating a virtual community of
downloaders. Users now have the rights to play songs purchased from iTunes on
five personal computers, two more than previously.
David Bowie
organizes mix contest
David Bowie has invited fans to bootleg his music and he is offering
prizes for the most creative bootleg. Bowie's website urges fans to mix classic
Bowie songs with material from his latest album "Reality." The music software
needed for the task can be downloaded from Bowie's Web site, along with tracks
from his new album. |
|
07-04-04 |
Former Weezer
member Matt Sharp to release solo album
Formerl Weezer member Matt Sharp has said that his upcoming solo
album is "a labor of love that brought him peace of mind." The self-titled album
is set for release on April 15 through online retailers and May 4 via regular CD
stores. A preview of the 11-track album can be heard at Sharp's official Web
site, which also features a free download. |
|
31-03-04 |
Microsoft to launch online music shop in the second half of the year
Microsoft will launch its online music store in the second half of the year. The
software company this week began offering sneak peaks of the service to
independent record labels. Microsoft will promote its music store primarily
through its MSN.com web portal. Visitors will be able to sign up via MSN and
browse a catalogue of songs and albums to purchase and download onto their
computers.
File-exchange not
to blame for falling music sales
While file-exchange continues to be blamed by the recording industry for
declining music sales, a new Harvard study shows that downloading has only a
very minor effect on CD sales. According to the worst-case scenario of the
researchers' findings, it takes 5,000 downloads to reduce sales of an album by
one copy. Using those estimates, CD sales would have decreased by 2 million
copies from 2000 to 2002, when actually they fell by 139 million copies.
Meanwhile, for the top 25 percent of best-selling albums (with more than 600,000
copies sold), downloading went hand-in-hand with increased album sales. If
file-sharing had such a big negative effect on sales, the Harvard study
concludes, the motion picture, software and video game industries, whose files
are also heavily traded, would also be suffering. But sales in those arenas have
been increasing. |
|
17-03-04 |
Sony unveils online music service
Sony Electronics has unveiled plans for an online music download service, as
part of its parent company's ongoing efforts to meld its content and electronics
businesses. Sony announced a music download service called Connect, which will
be available this spring and will offer more than 500,000 titles for 99 cents
per track. |
|
10-03-04 |
Kazaa owner
Sharman considering appeal against raids
Sharman Networks, owner and distributor of the Kazaa file-sharing application,
is thinking of appealing this week's court decision which upheld a ruling
allowing the record industry to conduct raids on its premises last month. A
judge of the Federal Court of Australia upheld the validity of the Anton Piller
orders by which a court empowers a party, that has alleged wrongdoing, the
opportunity to enter premises and search for evidence. |
|
11-02-04 |
Kazaa
owners targeted by Music Industry Piracy Investigations
Last week the Australian offices of Sharman Networks, owner of the online
file-exchange network Kazaa, and Brilliant Digital Entertainment, along with the
homes of key executives and several Internet service providers were raided by
Music Industry Piracy Investigations (MIPI). The MIPI was searching for
documents and electronic evidence to support its case against the P2P companies.
In addition to the offices of Sharman Networks and Brilliant Digital
Entertainment, MIPI raided the residences of Sharman Networks CEO Nikki Hemming,
Brilliant Digital CEO Kevin Burmeister, and Phil Morle, director of technology
at Sharman. Monash University, the University of Queensland and the University
of New South Wales also were raided, as well as four ISPs including Telstra.
Police
close eMule sites in Italy
On February 5, one of the most important Italian eMule sites
http://www.enkeywebsite.net reporting links to files being shared over the eMule
network was closed by the police. Other Italian sites immediately closed "for
maintenance" as well. Rumors has it that someone from the italian television,
seeing his own productions shared over the eMule network, asked for such sites
to be closed. No clues are available, at the moment, as far as further
investigations are concerned. |
|
04-02-04 |
Napster to extend new
service to Europe in April
Napster has announced that the service will be extended to the Europe. Leanne
Sharman, former head of sales and marketing at MP3.com, will lead the operation
in Europe. Napster has not yet set a date for the launch in Europe, but it is
expected that the service will start in April. |
|
28-01-04 |
New Courtney Love track
online available for download
Final details of Courtney Love’solo album "America’s Sweetheart" have been
revealed. The album will be released on February 9 and includes 12 new tracks. A
track tiled "Mono" can be downloaded from
www.courtneylove.com. |
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