Movies may be available simultaneously in the theaters and on DVD as studios contemplate earlier release dates for DVDs in an effort to get the jump on movie pirating. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, the Motion Picture Association has gotten an open search warrant for the entire city of New Delhi, India.

Downloading MP3s illegally really does take money directly out of the artists’ pockets, it turns out. This article lays it out on the table, with the real facts, from an industry insider.

In case you haven’t heard, Sony Ericsson has recently announced their line of Walkman Phones (cellphones) including both the ‘candy bar’ (non-flip, buttons on the front) style w800, and the swivel version (the top swivels up to reveal the keypad) w600. They have also just announced a w550 for Europe…

In a decision in which the Canadian Private Copying Collective (somewhat analagous to the U.S.’ RIAA, except that the CPCC actually represents the interests of the artists) says that it is “disappointed”, the Canadian high court has this week let stand a ruling that the CPCC could no longer levy…

Every once in a while Aunty comes across a nice, novel, and altruistic use of the Internet. Such is this site which just came to Aunty’s attention. Classical music. As you may be aware, for various legal reasons having to do with copyright processes and time limits, classical music is,…

Security experts are saying that Apple’s iPod is the newest rage. Not among the teen set, Gen-Xers, or even baby boomers, but among criminals. Now, it’s true that the use isn’t novel, just the choice of device, but as Marshall Mcluhan so deftly noted, the medium is the message. So…

Here’s an interesting new service! Imagine that you are driving along, listening to the radio (you guys do remember that classic antique, the car radio, right?) And a song comes on that you really like. Or that really annoys your spouse. Or something. For whatever reason, you decide that you’d…

The Internet world is abuzz with talk about today’s Supreme Court decision in the Grokster case, as it was with the Napster case before it. “Studios Win Big in Grokster Case,” reads one headline; “Hollywood Wins Internet Piracy Battle,” says another. “Court Sides with Entertainment Biz in Grokster Case,” reads…

Now here’s a novel use of the web. Consumer Union is lobbying Congress to tighten drug safety laws, following the wave of people who have been injured or worse after taking such approved drugs as Vioxx and Bextra. As part of their effort, they are lampooning the rash of drug…

McDonald’s is introducing, I kid you not, downloadable music and ringtones under the golden arches. The offerings, available via Blaze Net kiosks, are McDonald’s latest bid to stay current with the times. Other offerings include store-wide wifi, and McLattes. Said McDonald’s spokesperson Bill Whitman of their newly funkified locations, “It…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Acting Assistant Attorney General John C. Richter of the Criminal Division, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement Michael J. Garcia, and Assistant Director Louis M. Reigel of the FBI’s Cyber Division today announced the first criminal enforcement action targeting individuals committing copyright infringement on…

Ok, now that you know to avoid the virus which deletes MP3s, here is some happy news. Did you know that Amazon offers free downloads of songs in MP3 format? Yep, it’s true! At any given times there are 200 free songs at Amazon, free for the asking (and the…

The new W32/Nopir-B virus is a worm with a mission: to search and destroy MP3 files on its victims hard drives. Ouch. While it seems to be aimed at trying to target music pirates who populate their music collection with pirated MP3s through peer-to-peer networks, the worm can’t tell the…

Rogue Amoeba, the software company who has brought us such innovative software as Audio Hijack and Nicecast, have done it again with Airfoil. Airfoil, Rogue Ameoba’s newest offering, allows you to stream audio from just about any program, wirelessly, to your Airport Express wireless network hub, which in turn streams…

The Windows Genuine Advantage Program (WGA) is a way for the Microsoft bouncer to check your Windows’ I.D. at the door.