More New Music Industry News: DoubleTwist + Amazon, Smule, ReverbNation, Swedish Arrest & More

• DoubleTwist, the media management software created by Jon Lech Johansen – a.k.a. “DVD Jon” – is teaming up with Amazon.com in its bid to create an alternative to Apple’s iTunes. (WSJ)
  
• Smule adds $8 million in funding for iPhone music apps.(DMW)
• U.S. Visa rules ease slightly: In response to concerns expressed by the national performing arts community, the USCIS has reinstated the ability of a petitioner to file a single petition for artists coming to the U.S. for an itinerary of events with multiple arts organizations. A November 20, 2009 USCIS memo offers some clarification for petitioners.
  Find the the latest visa petition requirements here.
• ReverbNation has appointed Paul Vidich, former Executive Vice President of Warner Music Group
  and Special Advisor to AOL, to its Board of Directors.
• Jason Feinberg's "The Year in Digital Music and Predictions for 2010" (MusicShift)
• Music services will offer more ad opportunities – Digital music is set for continued support from brands as the channel matures next year. (Media Age)
  
• Digital Year-End Lists Reveal Glimpse At Services' Demos (Billboard)
• Digital Music Growth Levels Off (MediaPost)
• Startup Gives Bands Something Only Major Labels Usually Get: Equity (Epicenter)
• Ted Cohen on Breaking Through The Noise: ATTENTION ALL ARTISTS, THE WORLD NOW BELONGS TO YOU! (MidemNet) Now Ted, even though you're right, there's no need to shout.
• What Vevo Gets Right—And What It Gets Wrong (paidContent)
• Swedish Police Arrest 12,000 Song File-Sharer – Acting on a music industry tipoff, Swedish police conducted a raid yesterday which led to the arrest of a man on suspicion of copyright infringement. The 25 year-old is said to have made 12,000 tracks available on the Internet. After questioning the man admitted the charge and was later released. (TorrentFreak)