Court Throws Out Net Music Legal Tactics: In a surprise setback for the recording industry, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Friday that record labels must abandon their favorite method to track down those who illegally copy music online.
Recording companies must file a formal lawsuit if they want Internet providers to turn over the names of customers who may be copying music illegally, the court said, adding the industry's legal basis for inundating Internet providers with thousands of subpoenas "borders upon the silly."
Dutch Court Throws Out Attempt to Control Kazaa: The decision by the Dutch court, the highest European body yet to rule on file-sharing software, means that the developers of the software cannot be held liable for how individuals use it. It does not address issues over individuals' use of such networks.
Wal-Mart tests Internet music downloads, for 88 cents a song: The Wal-Mart service would be below the average price of 99 cents a song offered by other services launched in the past few months, including those by Apple Computer and the new Napster service.
