Hypebot’s New Music Business Week In Review

>>> KOCH, North America’s largest indie distributor and label, is getting a new owner.

>>> Europe’s largest dance music label Ministry Of Sound is protesting trade group Impala’s decision to back a possible EMI sale to Warner Music. Several investment firms are also eying a purchase of EMI.

>>> The EU has opened a formal probe into the Sony BMG merger in 2004.  They have until July 1 to issue a ruling.

>>> Cold water was thrown on the march towards DRM free mp3 downloads when a court ordered Microsoft to pay $1.5 billion in damages for improper use of several mp3 related patents.  Then EMI abruptly stopped the major label seen most likely to be ready to release its catalog DRM free, discussions with download stores amid rumors that vendors were unwilling to pay large advances and increasing speculation about the company’s sale.

>>> Download prices could jump if ASCAP wins a court case demanding both performance and mechanical royalties.

>>> Inspired by Jet Blue’s new Customer Bill of Rights, Hypebot released a Music Lover’s Bill Of Rights that is gaining some traction in the blogasphere.