By Wolfgang Spahr, Berlin
Mobile handset manufacturer Nokia has concluded a Europe-wide licensing agreement with the German collecting society GEMA in Munich for its unlimited Comes With Music service.
The agreement grants Comes With Music the right to use the GEMA repertoire. The Comes With Music catalog contains about 5.5 million songs.
By Andre Paine, London
An Italian judge in Milan has ordered the operators of pirate music Web sites to forfeit more than 2.4 million euros ($3.3 million) following an investigation into copyright infringement.
It follows an investigation and legal proceedings against various Italian Web sites that were used to offer unlicensed music for illegal downloading.
By Glenn Peoples, Nashville
It may be difficult to fathom with the hullabaloo going on about Twitter, but people bought music before the service launched. In fact, people bought music before the existence of email, the Internet browser, MySpace, the eight-track cassette and FM radio. It’s best to remember there are other ways, and frequently more effective ways, to communicate with fans.
By Wolfgang Spahr, Berlin
Organizers of the Popkomm music fair and conference in Berlin have admitted that an anticipated 50 per cent fall in attendance meant the 2009 event, due to take place Sept. 16 to 18, was no longer viable this year.
Failure by the German government to tackle Internet piracy was also a singled out as a deep-rooted problem that contributed to the cancelation.
Billboard.biz exclusively revealed this morning (June 19) that the event was being canceled.
RELEASE DATE JUNE 23
“NO GOD” AVAILABLE NOW ON iTUNES
Washington DC’s DARKEST HOUR have just posted two brand-new webisodes on their MySpace page. The videos will also be featured on www.metalinjection.net. In the videos, the whole band breaks down their entire new album, The Eternal Return, track by track, giving fans a real insight into what this record means to them. The videos are available on DARKEST HOUR’s official MySpace, www.myspace.com/darkesthour AND www.metalinjection.net.
DUE AUGUST 18
SINGER ODERUS ORUNGUS TO MAKE 2ND APPEARANCE ON FOX NEWS’ “RED EYE”
Intergalactic shock rockers GWAR are back with a brand-new album, Lust In Space¸ just in time to celebrate their 25th Anniversary as a band. The Scumdogs of the Universe are particularly thrilled this time around as they have finally escaped the seething, filthy mudball that is Earth! GWAR will also be triumphantly returning to Metal Blade Records for the release of Lust In Space, due August 18.
ONLY CHANCE TO SEE DEMON HUNTER THIS YEAR!!
Seattle metallers DEMON HUNTER have announced four exclusive performances in the US starting in August, dubbed “Huntour 2009”. The band will kick off the tour in their hometown of Seattle, WA before heading to Pomona, CA for two mini-festivals. One of the shows will feature the special reunion performance of classic Christian band Focused. The upcoming gigs will also feature Throwdown (in Pomona) and Bleeding Through (in Alaska), as well as Living Sacrifice and more to be announced.
Legendary guitarist Michael Schenker is on tour in the states right now. We highly recommend you get out to see these rare performances. Schenker is rocking his Dean Signature models - see more at http://www.deanguitars.com/schenker09.php - on a nightly basis and he has never sounded more dynamic than on these shows!
Michael Schenker Group tour dates:
Thu 06/18/09 Oklahoma City, OK Rock Theater
Fri 06/19/09 Houston, TX House Of Blues
Sat 06/20/09 San Antonio, TX Hemisfair Park
Sun 06/21/09 Dallas, TX Cambridge Room
From MAY 1st 2009 through August 31st 2009, purchase any new Dean USA guitar and receive two Dean Magnetic Technology Pickups OF YOUR CHOICE, ABSOLUTELY FREE! (over $200 value!)
First, where to purchase your Dean USA guitar? Three options:
1. An authorized Dean USA Dealer. Find one today at http://www.deanguitars.com/dealerlocator/
2. The Dean Guitars "Private Stash" USA Collection
http://www.deanguitars.com/privatestash.php
3. Dean Guitars "In-Stock" USA Collection
http://www.deanguitars.com/usa_instock.php
WIN TONS OF PRIZES THROUGHOUT JUNE AND JULY LEADING UP TO THE TOUR
