Tuesday Music Briefing: Yahoo!, Rock Games, MicroPay & More

HYPEBOT FEATURES:

• Hypebot Infiltrates Columbia Records Site With Anti-Label Ad
• Katz & ClearChannel Form Online Radio Net
• Atlantic Partners With imeem, YouTube, BrightCove & Meebo
• Walkmen Tap AimeSt For $5 Pre-Release
• trueAnthem Raises $2M For New Widget

> Sony is in serious talks to purchase the BMG half of Sony BMG. (Reuters)

> Yahoo! Music will refund money for downloads bought that may not work after the service is shut down. But you have to ask.  (PC)

> A look at the competition between games Rock Band and Guitar Hero’s battle for better bands. (ars)

> Best Buy is adding a major musical instruments section to make up for declining music sales. (AP)

> Here’s a clever viral campaign that someone emailed me: WhereDidRockNRollGo.com. Check it out. Can any tell me who its for? Where is the easy way to share it with friends?  What is the next action?

> Cost effective micro-payments for 25 to 99 cents downloads and other small transactions is a real problem holding back musical e-commerce.  Online label BETA Records thinks they’ve found a solution via a new deal with payment processor Javian. (press release)