DIGITAL MUSIC NEWS WEEK IN REVIEW

• New York attorney general Eliot Spitzer concluded a payola investigationinvolving Sony BMG this week. The major was forced to pay a $10 millionfine, considered by most to be a slap on the wrist. Now, attention turns to upcoming action against other labels.
• Elsewhere, President Bush appointed an anti-piracy czar, part of theDepartment of Commerce. The move will renew pressure against countries like China and Russia, both of whom have rampant levels of copyright infringement.
• Both Apple and MSN raised their wholesale payout on downloads in the US, leveling the playing field between independents and major labels.
• XM and Napster announced a new partnership, with the pair outlining a system that will allow satellite listeners to earmark specific tracks for download later. The satellite radio provider also widened its relationship with Starbucks. And late in the week, XM reported strong subscriber and revenue jumps for the most recent quarter, though profits levels remain a concern.
• And Panasonic launched a new online music store, with Loudeye powering the backend. The site coincided with the release of a new Panasonic MP3 player line.