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Joining Movielink in the biz, the new service will offer video-on-demand online: The new online movie subscription service, Starz On Demand, will have robust copyright protection and also allow users to enjoy high-quality video playback, said RealNetworks Chief Executive Rob Glaser. “I would call it a natural progression, videos on …

I like Whitney Houston – she’s about the only current diva I can stand. She has a great voice, good (but not great) musical sense, charisma, beauty, and a sense of humor well-displayed on her 1996 SNL appearance. I even used to like Bobby Brown when he was the King …

Shania Twain and the Kurt Cobain syndrome: The 37-year-old country singer’s new album “Up” has soared to No. 1 on the U.S. charts, but Twain hinted to Time magazine that she will soon stop performing. “I never burned to perform, and I don’t care if I ever perform again,” Twain …

Back in October we mentioned the LG Internet Refrigerator, which struck me as having a little too much going on for a kitchen appliance: as if I want to sit in front of the refrigerator, in the high-traffic kitchen, to watch TV or post to Blogcritics. This strikes me as …

The struggle for control of the Chinese Internet continues. We reported last week that two dissidents, in custody for “subversive” Internet use, died in custody under mysterious circumstances. Last month we discussed the “hacktivists” seeking to liberate users from blockage. Now, Jonathan Zittrain and Benjamin Edelman of the Berkman Center …

While the music download case is crucial to the future of P2P services on the Internet, another copyright case is the first criminal test of the DMCA: “This case is about selling a burglar tool for software in order to make a profit,” assistant U.S. attorney Scott Frewing told jurors …

I’ve never heard of any of these artists (not that that means much), but Peppermint Records has an interesting concept here (which reminds me somewhat of the old Subpop Singles Club): New Peppermint Patron Program! Today we are excited to introduce a new program for fans and supporters called the …

Korea is hooked to the big pipe and sucking up the porn. Seoul Now reports: On Nov. 6, the Korean government held a special ceremony to stress that the number of high-speed Internet subscribers surpassed the 10 million mark in October. The ceremony was held at the headquarters building of …

California State Senator Kevin Murray has an absolutely fascinating and comprehensive summary of what he has gathered from the three California Senate Select Committee on the Entertainment Industry hearings on recording industry practices, which he has chaired. The man is meticulous and the summary is quite long, but here are …

I have complained here rather vociferously that many entertainers are ill-informed, naive, and/or just good old-fashioned stupid regarding politics and policy. They are, of course entitled to their opinions, but the danger lies in the fact that entertainers hold much sway over fans, and are at minimum going to have …