New Music Business Briefing: EMI Deals With Pirates, Amazon Pricing Pressure, Marleys Fight Verizon & Much More

>>> Internet music "piracy" is huge in China with many ISP’s making it easy for people to grab tracks.  EMI and some labels have decided that since they can’t stop them; they’ll take a check. (BusinessWeek) Could unlimited streaming offered at the ISP level spread to other countries?

>>> Internet ad dollars are expected to surpass radio ad revenue this year. (FMQB) Yet I’ll bet most music companies spend more money at radio.

>>> Will lower CD prices at Amazon lead to lower download prices at iTunes and elsewhere? (Digital Audio Insider) Wal-Mart is already selling tracks at $.88 to $.94 and pricing should get even more competitive if Amazon ever gets its digital store open.

>>> "The RIAA is fighting allegations that its identical tactics in over 25,000 file-sharing lawsuits demonstrate that it is an anticompetitive cartel, and therefore guilty of copyright misuse." (ars)

>>>IndieHQ points to another instance where Clear Channel is demanding that indie artists waive royalties. This time to participate in a talent contest. (IHQ) Why do bands subject themselves to these contests anyway?

>>> The family of Bob Marley has filed suit over the recent Verizon ringtone deal. (Billboard)

>>> Could Borders and Barnes & Noble merge? (NY Business) It’s just speculation, but…