A brief filed by Universal Music Group (UMG) in the US federal court says that giving away or even throwing out a promotional CD is piracy.

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The German authors rights society GEMA has reported a €24.8 million ($39.67 million) downturn in 2007 revenue according to Billboard, collecting €849.6 million ($1.35 billion) for its 60,000 author/publisher members during the year, down 2.83% from 2006, just as the PRS announced figures 6% UP on 2007.

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Comedy duo The Mighty Boosh are tying up with Vince Power's the Hop Farm Festival in the UK on the 5th of July creating "Europe’s most unique and spectacular festival experience".

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UK newspapers are reorting that Madonna has been offered £7.5 million ($16 million) for a one off show in Dubai in November, as part of her upcoming world tour to promote new album 'Hard Candy'.

 

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Isle of Wight Festival promoter John Giddins has slotted in two more one-off shows on the island with appearances by Girls Aloud and Paul Weller at Osbourne Park on the 26th and 27th July. >>more

A new deal with YouTube, ringtones and the booming live music scene are pushing PRS (Performing Right Society) revenues to record highs.

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Italian concert promoter Virus Concerti has announced it will open a London office having recently arranged a number of shows for larger Italian artists in the capital. GM Attilio Perissinott told Billboard that interest has increased since their sell out 'Italian Job Live' shows at the Barfly in Camden >>more

The UK government has announced it may protect certain UK national sporting events such as Wimbledon, Six Nations Rugby and cricket test matches from ticket touring but otherwise will not legislate against ticket touts.

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The MAMA Group, owner of the Barfly network and Mean Fiddler venues yesterday has announced it has bought a 70% share of the Angel Music Group, the clubbing and festival promoter giving MAMA a majority stake in the Godskitchen, Global Gathering and Escape Into The Park brands, and various club venues, including Air in Birmingham. >>more

Sam Gesser, the Canadian impresario whose career spanned five decades, has died aged 78.

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