Another year over: the vicious circle - still vicious, still a circle...

Hi folks: Just a note to say Happy New Year. Thanks for visiting my site this year - I hope it has been helpful to you.

I am toying with the idea of going back to fortnightly posts next year - its now taking me over two hours to get a monthly post together and the headings and the order havent always been the best.

For me this has been a great year. I have learnt heaps from reading all these articles - if only the record labels would learn something from it too. Lets hope next year ends on a different note (pun intended).

Peace, Love & Happiness
Magic Happens
s

Kuro goes down in China:
Interfax China, P2P copyright infringement case sets legal precedent in China (19 December 2006) <http://www.interfax.cn/displayarticle.asp?aid=20021&slug=IPR> at 20 December 2006

Winny goes down in Japan:
TechDirt, Japanese Court Decides That Making Software That's Used For Some Illegal Things Is Illegal (14 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061214/121055.shtml> at 19 December 2006

The Japan Times, Winny creator guilty in copyright violations (14 December 2006) <http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20061214a1.html> at 15 December 2006

p2pnet.net, Winny author Kaneko fined (14 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10723> at 15 December 2006

USA class action against Kazaa:
ArsTechnia, RIAA defendant targets Kazaa in new lawsuit (7 December 2006) <http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061207-8379.html> at 15 December 2006

p2pnet.net, Kazaa sued in class action (7 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10685> at 10 December 2006

TechDirt, Sued By The RIAA? Blame Kazaa! (7 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061207/105259.shtml> at 10 Demceber 2006

Individual lawsuits USA style:
Slyck, Case Against Patti Santangelo Dropped (19 December 2006) <http://www.slyck.com/story1364.html> at 20 December 2006

The City Paper Online, Recording industry gets tough with file-sharing lawsuits (18 December 2006) <http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section_id=10&screen=news&news_id=53711> at 19 December 2006

p2pnet.net, EFF anti-RIAA crusade (11 December 2006) <http://www.p2pnet.net/story/10703?PHPSESSID=d1269a682f592ec497c949b97271927c> at 12 December 2006

RecordingIndsutryvsThePeople, In Oregon Case Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss, Says "Making Available for Distribution" is Sufficient Allegation (9 December 2006) <http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/2006/12/in-oregon-case-judge-denies-motion-to.html> at 10 December 2006

p2pnet.net, RIAA again in RICO claim (6 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10674> at 10 December 2006

TechDirt, Will The Recording Industry Sue Edgar Bronfman For Downloading? (4 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061204/003837.shtml> at 10 December 2006

p2pnet.net, Another RIAA victim says No! (30 November 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10594> at 2 December 2006

Individual lawsuits French style (privacy over piracy):
TechDirt, France The Latest To Tell The RIAA That Privacy Is More Important Than Piracy (22 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061222/112046.shtml> at 23 December 2006

International Herald Tribune, French court favors personal privacy over piracy searches (21 December 2006) <http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/21/business/privacy.php> at 23 December 2006

p2pnet.net, French Big Music victim (7 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10682> at 10 December 2006

ParisLink, Anne-Sophie Lainnemé Fined For Downloading (30 November 2006) <http://www.paris-link-home.com/news/121/ARTICLE/1496/2006-11-30.html> at 10 December 2006

Individual lawsuits German style (1000 per month for 2007):
p2pnet.net, Big 4 record labels attack Germany (28 December 2006) <http://www.p2pnet.net/story/10850> at 31 December 2006

Individual lawsuits HongKong style (more criminal prosecutions coming to you in 2007):
Digital Music News, Hong Kong Considers Stepped-Up Copyright Enforcement (22 December 2006) <http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/stories/122206hong/view> at 23 December 2006

InfoWorld, Copyright pirates sentenced in Hong Kong, Japan Defendants receive jail time and a fine for copyright infringement (14 December 2006)<http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/12/14/HNcopyrightpirates_1.html> at 19 December 2006

Individual lawsuits UK style - jail recommended:
p2pnet.net, Gower report: jail file sharers (8 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10688> at 10 December 2006

BBC News, Copyright pirates face crackdown (6 December 2006) <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6214108.stm> at 10 December 2006

Individual lawsuits Dutch style:
TechDirt, Utrecht MediaSentry decision (18 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10773?PHPSESSID=2447faea03bd2ec057ea0274ad96f70d> at 20 December 2006

RIAA - MediaSentry good enuff for US(a):
p2pnet.net, RIAA tries to bury Dutch finding (20 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10795?PHPSESSID=662df384a116bde9caaf13404f62da49> at 22 December 2006

p2pnet.net, RIAA: trying it on with MediaSentry (17 December 2006) <http://www.p2pnet.net/story/10758?PHPSESSID=e133fe638b819faa557e77a18fcbc8dd> at 19 December 2006

Azures 3 on the launch pad:
Slyck, Azureus 3.0 Launched (4 December 2006) <http://www.slyck.com/story1354.html> at 14 December 2006

Bit/µ/Torrent:
p2pnet.net, BitTorrent / uTorrent, open source? (11 Dcember 2006) <http://www.p2pnet.net/story/10704?PHPSESSID=d1269a682f592ec497c949b97271927c> at 12 December 2006

p2pnet.net, BitTorrent, uTorrent, team up (7 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10686> at 10 December 2006

RIAA v AllofMP3 - seeking $1.65 trillion in damages:
Slyck, AllofMP3.com Responds to RIAA Lawsuit (27 December 2006) <http://www.slyck.com/story1368.html> at 31 December 2006

p2pnet.net, Big 4 labels sue AllofMP3.com (21 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10811?PHPSESSID=662df384a116bde9caaf13404f62da49> at 22 December 2006

TechDirt, Record Labels Finally Sue Allofmp3.com (20 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061220/200724.shtml> at 22 December 2006

p2pnet.net, The Pirate Bay steps in for AllofMP3 (14 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10728> at 15 December 2006

p2pnet.net, AllofMP3 blockade taken down (21 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10808?PHPSESSID=662df384a116bde9caaf13404f62da49> at 22 December 2006

p2pnet.net, AllofMP3.com defies US (30 November 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10590> at 2 December 2006

War - what is it good for...........?
Digital Music News, Data Challenges Importance of File-Sharing Applications (21 December 2006) <http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/stories/122106data/view> at 22 December 2006

p2p ad model in 2007 - matchboxx, spiral frog, qtrax... where are you?
p2pnet.net, p2p advertising for 2007? (29 December 2006) <http://www.p2pnet.net/story/10862> at 31 December 2006

Digital Music News, SpiralFrog Licensing Train Continues, BMI Jumps Aboard (15 December 2006) <http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/#121506spiral> at 19 December 2006

Peer impact trying to avoid a poor impact:
Digital Music News, Peer Impact Spins Bargain Basement Holiday Deals (18 December 2006) <http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/#121806peer> at 19 December 2006

Warner love digitals:
p2pnet.net, Digital is GOOD: Warner Music (1 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10612> at 2 December 2006

Digital media stores demonstrating the need for distribted architecture:
TechDirt, iPod's Present Popularity Brings Down iTunes Music Store (28 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061228/070358.shtml> at 31 December 2006

iTunes dropping sales:
Slyck, iTunes Controversy (13 December 2006) <http://www.slyck.com/story1359.html> at 15 December 2006

p2pnet.net, iTunes in decline (14 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10720> at 15 December 2006

CNet News/Reuters, Survey: iTunes music sales tumble in early 2006 (13 December 2006) <http://news.com.com/2100-1027_3-6143278.html> at 15 December 2006

The Register, iTunes sales 'collapsing' (11 Dcember 2006) <http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/11/digital_downloads_flatline/> at 12 December 2006

The Register, Forrester can't stand up for falling down over iTunes. Collapse? What collapse! (13 December 2006) <http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/13/itunes_sales_forrester_replies/> at 15 December 2006

BBC News, Apple denies download sales fall (13 Dcember 2006) <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6175321.stm> at 14 December 2006

Lawsuits against Apples DRM:
p2pnet.net, Apple iTunes DRM troubles (30 December 2006) <http://www.p2pnet.net/story/10865> at 31 December 2006

More DRM for Apple?
p2pnet.net, Increased DRM for iTunes? (1 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10605> at 2 December 2006

Zune now in tune with Mr.Vista:
p2pnet.net, Zune works with Vista (21 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10804?PHPSESSID=662df384a116bde9caaf13404f62da49> at 22 December 2006

DRM is doomed?
SiliconValley, Music labels change tune (28 December 2006) <http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/business/technology/16336583.htm> at 31 December 2006

p2pnet.net, Big Music discovers mp3s (7 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10677> at 10 December 2006

TechDirt, It Takes More Than A Single MP3 To Embrace The DRM-Free World (6 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061206/002750.shtml> at 10 December 2006

TheWallStreetJournal, In a Turnabout, Record IndustryReleases MP3s (6 December 2006) <http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB116537603826741985-TfD3l60iYwyYgj2wH5P9gTDGDy0_20070105.html> at 10 December 2006

TechDirt, When You're Competing Against Free, 'Usability Problems' Won't Help (4 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061204/122015.shtml> at 10 December 2006

More on ... not more of... DMCA exemptions:
TechDirt, DMCA Exemptions Granted (27 November 2006) <http://www.freedom-to-tinker.com/?p=1090> at 12 December 2006

Wailing about watermarks - what about their weakness?
Digital Music News, Watermarking Alliance Proposes MP3-Based Solutions (19 December 2006) <http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/#121906water> at 19 December 2006

Sony, 12 months later - the longest root ever (even echidnas only take 3 hrs):
Digital Music News, Sony BMG Finalizes Massive, Statewide Rootkit Settlement (22 December 2006) <http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/stories/122206sony/view> at 23 December 2006

The Washington Post, Sony BMG Settles Suit Over CDs (19 December 2006) <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/19/AR2006121900774.html> at 22 December 2006

eMusic - doin' fine without DRM:
Digital Music News, eMusic Officially Crosses 100 Million Download Mark (14 December 2006) <http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/#121406emusic> at 14 December 2006

Artists profiting from piracy:
TechDirt, More Research Showing How Musicians Are Better Off With File Sharing (19 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061218/203728.shtml> at 22 December 2006

Money is there to be made - artists have plenty lets take it from them:
New York Times, Squeezing Money From the Music (11 December 2006) <http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/11/business/media/11music.html?ex=1166590800&en=be617a63657d697a&ei=5070> at 19 December 2006

TechDirt, Record Labels Looking For Ways To Squeeze More Money Out Musicians -- But They're Too Late (11 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061211/084226.shtml> at 13 December 2006

ign.com, RIAA Petitions Judges to Lower Artist Royalties (7 December 2006) <http://gear.ign.com/articles/749/749883p1.html> at 12 December 2006

p2pnet.net, Big Music wants royalties lowered (7 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10687> at 10 December 2006

Comparing the options - excellent chart:
Museekster, Comparison of Legal Music Services (November 2006) <http://www.museekster.com/legalmusic.htm> at 12 December 2006

Chronology of Canadian Copyright Law:
p2pnet.net, Canadian Copyright Law (28 December 2006) <http://www.p2pnet.net/story/10848> at 31 December 2006

Canada DRM & Privacy:
p2pnet.net, New Canadian TPM fact sheet (6 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10698> at 10 December 2006

Aus hyperlink liability:
p2pnet.net, Oz ruling on hyperlinks (20 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10793?PHPSESSID=662df384a116bde9caaf13404f62da49> at 22 December 2006

TechDirt, Allowing Linking To MP3s Still Illegal In Australia; Ruling Will Hurt Both Tech And Entertainment Industries (18 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061218/162514.shtml> at 20 December 2006

CNet News, Australian court rules against MP3 link site (18 December 2006) <http://news.com.com/Australian+court+rules+against+MP3+link+site/2100-1027_3-6144590.html?tag=nefd.top> at 19 December 2006

BNA Internet Law News, Australian court upholds decision against mp3s4Free.Net (18 December 2006) at 19 December 2006 - Decision at: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCAFC/2006/187.html

ARIA discriminate against digitals on the charts:
p2pnet.net, The 'digital recording revolution' (30 December 2006) <http://www.p2pnet.net/story/10864> at 31 December 2006

Aus copyright changes; FAQ .... but still no answer to the question ...why?
Australian Attorney Genral, Copyright Amendment Bill 2006 - Frequently Asked Questions (6 December 2006) <http://www.ag.gov.au/agd/WWW/MinisterRuddockHome.nsf/Page/RWPC7B0742318EF6A58CA25723B008145FC> at 10 December 2006

Sydney Morning Herald, FAQ addresses copyright concerns (6 December 2006) <http://www.smh.com.au/news/biztech/ruddock-explains-copyright-laws-in-faq/2006/12/06/1165080996676.html> at 10 December 2006

Sydney Morning Herald, New copyright law 'protects' MP3 users (1 December 2006) <http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/New-copyright-law-protects-MP3-users/2006/12/01/1164777770381.html> at 3 December 2006

Attributor to detect copyrights - was surveillance and control on your Christmas list?
p2pnet.net, Scouring the web for p2p crime (22 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10822?PHPSESSID=8a03dc8d5a93857b37c0a530b3ea282c> at 23 December 2006

USA Pirate Party gearing up for 2008 elections:
Slyck, The Pirate Party Ramps up for 2008 (20 December 2006) <http://www.slyck.com/story1366.html> at 22 December 2006

Swedens Young Pirates:
p2pnet.net, Young Pirates interview (21 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10812?PHPSESSID=662df384a116bde9caaf13404f62da49> at 22 December 2006

p2p still popular in Sweden:
The Local, File sharing still popular in Sweden (18 December 2006) <http://www.thelocal.se/5836/20061218/> at 19 December 2006

EMI buy out falls through:
Digital Music News, Buyout Talks Disintegrate at EMI Group; Shares Dip (15 December 2006) <http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/#121506emi> at 19 December 2006

Universal BMG publishing merger examined:
p2pnet.net, EC Digs Deeper Into Universal, BMG Music Publishing Deal (11 December 2006) <http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/#121106ec> at 12 December 2006

The absence of scarcity continues:
TechDirt, Why The Lack Of Scarcity In Economics Is Getting More Important Now (14 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061213/234018.shtml> at 19 December 2006

TechDirt, A Lack Of Scarcity Feeds The Long Tail By Increasing The Pie (6 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061206/011155.shtml> at 10 December 2006

More legal downloads:
Slyck, SampleTorrents Offer Unique Content to BitTorrent Community (14 December 2006) <http://www.slyck.com/story1360.html> at 15 December 2006

Slyck, eMule Content Database Upgraded (14 December 2006) <http://www.slyck.com/story1361.html> at 15 December 2006

Electrotoxic relaunch as Acroplane: http://www.acroplane.org/

Blanket license still an option:
The Register, With a blanket license, will CDs get cheaper? Or dearer. Or disappear? (12 December 2006) http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/12/will_cds_get_cheaper/> at 15 December 2006

European blank media levies to remain:
TechDirt, Blank Media Levy To Stick Around In Europe (13 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061213/094457.shtml> at 14 December 2006

International Herald Tribune, When it comes to digital hardware, copyright levies are a taxing debate (22 November 2006) <http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/11/22/business/ptend23.php> at 3 December 2006

p2pnet.net, Dutch MP3 copyright tax on hold (1 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10609> at 2 December 2006

More social networking for musicians:
Digital Music News, Musician-Focused Social Networking Space Consolidates (14 December 2006) <http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/#121306net> at 14 December 2006

The New York Times, 2006, Brought to You by You (10 December 2006) <http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/arts/music/10pare.html?_r=1&oref=slogin> at 13 December 2006

Creative Commons confusion in Spain:
p2pnet.net, Spanish 'CC' cafe closed (7 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10681> at 10 December 2006

TechDirt, Has A Spanish Court Questioned The Legitimacy Of Creative Commons Licenses? (7 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061206/234715.shtml> at 10 December 2006

TechnoLlama, Spanish café loses case on "free music" (6 December 2006)<http://technollama.blogspot.com/2006/12/spanish-bar-loses-case-on-free-music.html>at 10 December 2006

Sample trolls destroying hip hop:
Effector, Sample Trolls Killing Hip Hop? Vol. 19, No. 44 (5 December 2006)<http://www.eff.org/effector/> at 10 December 2006 : http://www.slate.com/id/2153961/

Musicians support UK copyright extension - even dead ones:
TechDirt, Dead Musicians Write No Songs... But They Sure Can Sign Petitions Protecting Copyright Extension (8 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061208/100552.shtml> at 10 December 2006

TechDirt, Fair Play For Musicians Sounds Pretty Unfair For The Rest Of Us (7 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061207/142014.shtml> at 10 December 2006

TechDirt, Gowers Report On Intellectual Property Too Balanced For Its Own Good (6 December 2006) <http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20061206/102503.shtml> at 10 December 2006

SiliconValley, McCartney, Clapton, U2 among performers urging British copyright extension (7 December 2006) <http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/editorial/16187786.htm> at 10 December 2006

Another spanner in the works?
p2pnet.net, Meet OnlineMusicRecorder (1 December 2006) <http://p2pnet.net/story/10607> at 2 December 2006