Hypebot’s New Music Industry Briefing For Wednesday May 10, 2006

– Piracy in the mobile market – grabbing free ringtones and other mobile content – costs the industry $4.5 Billion in Europe alone according to a study.  As much as 80% of content on European phones may have been obtained without payment.  (Digital Music News)

– Just as artists have learned the power of MySpace, YouTube others are learning the power of video sharing sites like YouTube.  Capital/EMI’s The Vines are debuting their new video on the site and getting front page placement in exchange.

– They seem a bit late to the party, but UK labels are asking the government to amend laws that currently make it illegal for folks to rip their own CD’s onto players and make the practice acceptable. (Telegraph UK)

– Apple could negotiate new deals with labels to sidestep French plans to open it’s iTunes copy-protection technology to rivals under a Senate amendment to be voted on this week.  (AP via Yahoo!)

– Concert giant Live Nation continues its push to impove the live concert experience for consumers by pacting with "consumer experience" consultants LRA Worldwide. (CelebrityAccess)