Friday’s Music 2.0 Briefing: SonyBMG Flirts With DRM Free, Can Groban Save WMG? & Much More

> SonyBMG will be mp3 gift cards  as part of an initial foray into selling DRM free. (Billboard) This is a major shift for  the major label group.  But as we wrote a few weeks ago "The Slow March To DRM Free Has Become A Sprint"

> Josh Groban’s "Noel" is selling like hotcakes and breaking records.  But doesn’t it seem a bit desperate when the press release comes from WMG’s Investor Relations department? Warner Music Groups stock opened Friday at $6.20 off a 52 week high of $24.

> Sony BMG UK is telling senior staff that regular blogging is now required.  (Register)They don’t care if yo can write…but you must blog? And who is the editor?  This feels silly…

> Yahoo China lost an appeal in the "deep links" music case. (DMW)

> Verizon has grabbed the wireless exclusive for Guitar Hero III.

> Hypebot’s 2007 Music Blog Award winners.

> Share your predictions for the music industry in 2008 here. Please comment if for no other reason than I need help with my list :>)…

> Radiohead gets widgetized: