New Music Business Briefing: Apple Under Fire, McCartney Begs & More

>>> Apple continues to draw fire for including purchaser info in each "DRM free" track purchase. (AP) Some insiders call it a "brilliant compromise" and predict that others will follow.  The newly re-launched LaLa has its own approach, but delivers labels a similar level of protection.

>>> Paul McCartney pitches his new CD in a custom video on Amazon. (watch) "I was down with it until the very end, when the desperation FREAKED ME OUT!" – Bob Lefsetz

>>> An Inside Digital Media audio interview with eMusic’s David Pakman. (DM via Coolfer)

>>> Peter Gabriel has launched his WE7 in beta. The site offers mostly indie downloads for sale or free for week trials with an ad embedded. Gabriel shares ad revenue with the artist.(We7)

>>> There’s a promoter and venue war going on in NYC with new venues from Live Nation including the Gramarcy and the BB King’s folks (the hot new Highline) being challenged by rapidly growing Bowery Presents. (NY Times)

>>> The WSJ looks at how 300,000 copies of iTunes loaded on PC’s could be opening up a whole new world or possibilities for consumers and for Apple.