Today’s Music Briefing: Sony, The Orchard, ReverbNation & More

HYPEBOT FEATURES:

• iTunes Top US Music Retailer, Amazon Gains
• Sony Purchases Bertelsmann’s 50% Of Sony BMG
• Did Columbia Prank Hypebot’s Prank?
• CD Baby Sold To Disc Makers
• Google Launches MP3 Search In China
• Last.fm Expands Free Streams To Japan
• "Song For Tibet"  Release Attracts Top Acts
• Today Is Last Day to Win Bandwidth Tickets

> An analysis concludes that Sony’s acquisition last year of Gracenote as well as yesterday’s consolidation of its interest in Sony BMG are part of a lager strategy designed to interconnect the many properties owned by the entertainment giant. (DMW)

> Rapper Lil John is now free of his TVT contract in exchange for a deal with new TVT owner The
Orchard to develop "lifestyle-oriented marketing and promotion programs." (AP)

> The Orchard holds an earnings call Monday 8/11 at 4PM EDT. Call (866) 700- 0133 or (617) 213-8831 and use passcode 43653769 or listen via webcast at http://investor.theorchard.com.

> Downtown Music Publishing has appointed Jumee Park as Director, Film/TV Music. 

> ReverbNation has introduced a ‘Press Widget’ that enables artists to aggregate accolades from the media or fans into one place, and then deploy them to all of their other sites. 

> YouLicense, an online music licensing marketplace has secured Series A funding from Ofer Media, Israel’s leading private equity and investment firm for  media, entertainment and Internet companies, and Logia Group LTD, a global provider of mobile content solutions. Terms were not disclosed. The funding will be used for global marketing  and content acquisitions. (press release)

> AOL taps Jambase to power its Tour Tracker and listings. (press release)

> Artist groups are asking the FCC to drop its confusing decency standards. (ars)