B. Mann Consulting

I can't think of a good way to accomodate the trademark owners' legitimate interests, without essentially shutting down word-based ad placement services. And in the absence of such a solution, it seems to me better to let the ad placements go on.Freedom to Tinker: Trademarks and Ad Placement

Good overview of American Blinds vs. Google, who essentially say they own the copyright to the keywords "american" and "blinds" when used together, thus making it infringement if Google displays competitive ads next to that keyword phrase.

The Edison-based Internet telephone start-up claims AT&T stepped on its cyber-turf when AT&T named its new Internet phone service "CallVantage" and registered some Web site names that sound close to Vonage's name.
Miami Herald: Vonage Sues AT&T for Trademark Infringement

VoIP is turning into a giant marketing war. But, it seems Vonage may have a case -- AT&T purposefully registered a bunch of domain names that are mis-spellings of some of Vonage's domains. Be interesting to see how this turns out.

(via BBR VoIP Forum)

If Apple really wants to boost AAC, it would allow other device and software makers to license Apple's own FairPlay digital-rights-management (DRM) system. DRM is computer code bound to each downloaded track or album that carries instructions on how the music may be used. For example, FairPlay allows unlimited CD burns of single tracks but doesn't allow songs bought through iTMS to be played on other devices or to be traded on file-swapping networks. While anyone can use AAC -- it's an open standard, after all, and widely available for licensing -- FairPlay puts a barrier between Apple and the rest of the online music community because iTMS downloads can play only on iPods.
Business Week Online: Digital Music: Apple Shouldn't Sing Solo

For the music industry, LWDRM means that its copyrights can still be violated when consumers bypass the digital certificate. However, adoption of the system could be a PR victory for an industry that suffers not only from piracy, but also from a lack of goodwill from most consumers.

Pay Once, Share Often With LWDRM

This idea is from the Fraunhofer Institute, the same people that originally invented MP3. They actually developed the technology for MPEG4, but are essentially back-porting it to be used with MP3. It looks like it's a ways from actually being implemented, and somehow I think that this is just one more attempt to put the genie back in the bottle.

Fraunhofer also talks about having a full turn-key solution, with micro-payments and an online store for sale along with the technology for anyone that wants to implement it.

Evan explains how to stick it to EMI's copy-control antics:

Replacements Or How to Get a REAL Radiohead CD
I recently complained to EMI music and got a replacement CD (Radiohead's Hail To The Thief) mailed to me. I would transpose the letter they included in that package but the gist of it is that EMI is going to releasing all their new albums in Copy Controlled format (ie. sounds sucks when played through a computer) which is not a CD; its a CCD. Look for the triangle and say good bye to fair use!

I think everyone should follow this model and force EMI to replace every single copy of this album.

I'm in. Haven't bought a lot of CDs recently, but I should probably make a point of doing it with this Radiohead one.

You might also want to check out Kelp Records, mainly because I just spent a weekend with TRE