Blue Sky On Mars

I consider this to be a big deal: Vivendi Universal and Maverick Records have released a new Meshell Ndegeocello remix for sale online. What’s unique about this is that the new song is $0.99 and in MP3 format. The price is probably slightly higher than where it should be, but the fact that they released it in MP3 shows that they’re paying a little bit of attention to what people want.

John Robb, COO of Userland, wrote a good essay on what he thinks the shape of the New Economy is. I agree with what he says: the New Economy is indeed new, and it empowers individuals. One thing that I wonder, though: when the New Economy is no longer new, will corporations and corporate profits be the name of the game again?

News.com reports that some large tech companies are supporting Kazaa in trying to pursuade Congress to adopt compulsory licenses for music, which would make file trading legal (and no longer free). Though I usually prefer to let the free market decide things, the government may need to intervene to ensure that consumer’s rights are protected.

CNN and others are reporting on the resignation of Napster leadership. This includes the CEO, Konrad Hilbers, and Shawn Fanning, the original author of the software and founder of the company. I do hope that Fanning and Napster are remembered for the revolution they’ve caused, and I hope that Fanning gets another shot at driving change in the entertainment business.

MSNBC has a good review of how MusicNet got to where it is and points out that many major label execs recognize that the service is not what consumers want. They do plan to change the service, but will they be willing to change the service to offer unprotected formats?

Peru has a bill that is proposing using only free software for the government. Microsoft did not approve and wrote a letter to the Peruvian government. A Congressman replied with rebuttals to all of Microsoft’s points. Reading this letter, you can see that he’s really thought about this stuff. You’ll note that the primary reason he argues for free software is not cost: it’s availability of information to the public and national security.

LawMeme brings us the Top Ten New Copyright Crimes as a means of mocking Turner Broadcasting’s Jamie Kellner who stated that skipping commercials is theft. This article is also nice, because the author highlights some choice quotes from Kellner. It also has that great Heinlein quote that’s been floating around a lot lately. Heinlein said that there is nothing in law that states that just because something has been making money is guaranteed to continue. Face it, Hollywood: the Net and PVRs are disruptive technology. The sooner you figure out realistic business models, the sooner you’ll be able to reap the rewards of offering something consumers want.