Stereophile Staff

The European Parliament has enacted a strong new law to protect copyrights, approving the use of encryption to prevent piracy of publications, movies, and recorded music. The new measure, known as the Copyright Directive, will give copyright holders better protection in Europe than they enjoy in the US, according to Italian representative Enrico Boselli, sponsor of the law. The widespread availability of advanced digital technology requires establishing "clear rules for consumers, consumer-electronics manufacturers, Internet service providers, and others," Boselli stated.

Last week, GlobalNet Systems announced that violinist Itzhak Perlman has joined its subsidiary On-Line Entertainment Network as consultant and advisory boardmember. The company says that Mr. Perlman will consult on its acquisition and production of live classical-music events and the licensing of master catalogs of recorded classical music. He also joins an advisory board that will advise on future trends and opportunities for the company. The company intends to add other major artists to its advisory board in coming months.

Thursday April 7, from 6–9 pm, John DeVore of DeVore Fidelity (above) and Mike Pranka, the distributor for Well Tempered Labs and Dynavector, will presenting a night of music making at Don Better Audio (2888 Weybridge Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120). John will be playing the new Gibbon X loudspeakers and Mike the new Well Tempered Royale 400 turntable with its 16" tonearm. The system will include amplification from VTL and a formal seminar starts at 7:30pm.

January 26 & 27: Florida retailer Bending Wave USA (10404 West State Road 84, Suite 101, Davie, FL 33324) is holding a Grand Opening celebration, featuring loudspeakers and cables from Göbel High-End in Germany and electronics from CH Precision.