Barry Willis

<A HREF="http://www.gateway.com">Gateway Computer</A> appears intent on expanding into the home entertainment arena.

Could American copyright law be applied outside US borders?

Disc piracy is a profitable but increasingly risky business, with bootlegging-related shootings and armed robberies on the rise. Modern pirates have begun to imitate their sea-going ancestors, using force to acquire assets and territory.

Imitation, as the old saw would have it, is the sincerest form of flattery. It might also offer a way for DVD-Audio to establish credibility and build a customer base.

Promising technology, interesting programming, and good business plans may not be enough to keep satellite radio services <A HREF="http://www.xmradio.com">XM Radio</A> and <A HREF="http://www.siriusradio.com">Sirius Radio</A> aloft. Both companies are struggling with massive financial problems as they scramble to gain subscribers.

The <A HREF="http://www.riaa.com">Recording Industry Association of America</A> (RIAA) has gone on record opposing the <A HREF="http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A11926">Artistic Freedom Act</A>, introduced for consideration by the New York State Assembly on October 28 by Speaker Sheldon Silver. The bill would free artists from long-term contracts&mdash;now sometimes as long as 25 years&mdash;and would give them "free agency" status.

Folk wisdom has it that fools lock the barn door after the horses have escaped. They also chase all over the countryside trying to catch them. The music business is doing some of both in legal action brought against file-sharing service <A HREF="http://www.madster.com">Madster</A&gt;.