Radiohead's Free Downloads Prompt Others

Company said 62% chose not to pay in experimental album release

(NEWSER) - Just how successful has Radiohead's experimental pay-if-you-want online album release been? That's in debate as the band denies a report that just 38% of fans opted to pay for In Rainbows, and most paid under $4. Radiohead said the the figures from comScore Inc. are "wholly inaccurate," reports Wired News. More»

Company aims to have service up before iTunes Match

(NEWSER) - Google is pushing further into the entertainment business with an online music store that it aims to have up and running within weeks, sources tell the New York Times . Music industry execs say the MP3 store will probably be linked to Google's Music Beta cloud service. Google wants to have the store open before Apples iTunes Match service is rolled out, the sources say, although it's not clear whether the company will be able to cut deals with record labels in time. More»

(NEWSER) - Radiohead has recorded its last album, frontman Thom Yorke told the Believer in a recent interview. Instead, the band will focus on download-only singles and EPs. “None of us want to go into that creative hoo-ha of a long-play record again,” he said. Though the band believes there’s “still something great about the album,” making one has “just become a real drag.” More»

Composer pitches real-world thievery to help raise awareness

(NEWSER) - A Hollywood composer wants you to stop illegally downloading music, and he's willing to put his freedom in jeopardy to make his point. Because the public doesn't seem to equate swapping digital files with stealing, Richard Gibbs is pushing for people to swipe other products in a nationwide "day of sharing," reports the Christian Science Monitor. More»

Industry takes on huge world of downloads

(NEWSER) - Major record labels are suing two Chinese websites that allegedly allow illegal music downloads in a case that could have a huge impact on the way the Chinese obtain music. The groundbreaking multi-million dollar case over copyright infringement could pave the way for even larger claims, the Wall Street Journal reports. Spokesmen for the two websites insist they’re not responsible for content they don’t host. More»