DIGITAL MUSIC NEWS – WEEK IN REVIEW

Yes there was news in the digital music space this week beyond the fall out from the Sony rootkit debacle.  Here’s the Digital Music News Week In Review beginning of course with…Sony:

Sony BMG grabbed most of the attention this week. In response to mounting bad publicity, the label initiated a full recall on all CDs that carry the XCP protection scheme. In addition, the company offered to exchange the copy-protected CDs with non-protected versions. XCP first gained attention for installing a rootkit onto user operating systems. The costly retail replacement process is now underway.

Meanwhile, Apple continued to face some pressure over its iPod nano screens, which may be vulnerable to scratching. The company began inserting a protective sleeve with new nano shipments.

Virgin Digital revamped its download and subscription service in the US. The store offers a "no contract," $7.99 monthly fee, which is highly competitive with Yahoo Music Unlimited. Meanwhile Musicland debuted a music store of its own, which is powered by PassAlong Networks.

Cingular made yet another move into music. The company teamed with MobiTV and Music Choice to deliver a mobile radio solution. A late this week, Motorola indicated that it would be upgrading its ROKR devices, though Cingular has not officially expressed plans to carry it.

In the paid P2P space, SnoCap finalized a licensing agreement with Warner Music Group. The company has now finalized deals with all four majors.

In the enforcement area, international trade group IFPI announced a massive sweep of 2,100 suspect file-sharers. And British trade organization BPI also announced a round of its own. Meanwhile, college file-sharing application i2hub closed its doors, a response to RIAA legal pressure.