Russia -where copyright piracy is rampant – agrees to align its copyright laws with the European Union. Variety.com
Author: Douglas McLennan
TRUE ALTERNATIVE
With the Village Voice empire up for sale, New York Magazine media critic Michael Wolff wonders what’s so alternative about alternative weeklies – and offers a plan to go head-to-head with the New York Times. – New York Magazine
THE MEN BEHIND THE MAN
Canadian magazine says Haida artist Bill Reid didn’t make much of his work. The protests – the issue – is about art as money, writes one critic. Toronto Star
MARKETING THE AVANT GARDE
Deutsche Grammophon releases a new line of contemporary music – a nod to proper packaging. – The New York Press
DIVVYING UP THE SPOILS
Music business types gathered last week to talk about the commercial future of popular music. No consumers allowed. “I hate when they call music ‘content’,” says one musician. “I play the guitar, not content.” – Wired
PIANO JAZZ
The Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition gives a pretty good indication of the current direction of jazz. – The New York Times
AT THE GRAMOPHONE AWARDS
At Britain’s biggest classical music party, a young Russian pianist steps up with the greats. – The Times (UK)
US CUSTOMS SERVICE –
– opening a new center to combat theft of intellectual property. Seizures of stolen movies, software and music have nearly doubled since 1994. CBC
OUTOFBUSINESS.COM
Hollywood literary agents rallied to shut down a new internet site that promised overnight review of scripts submitted to the industry for bidding. Variety.com
WRESTLING MARTHA STEWART
The doyenne of do-it-yourself and the World Wrestling Federation venture onto the floor of the stock market with initial public stock offerings. Variety.com