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To date, record label attempts at adding copy-control systems to CDs to restrict their use have been less than totally succesful. We've had Sony discs that get">http://www.stereophile.com/news/11341/">get stuck in computers, discs that don't">http://www.stereophile.com/news/11261/">don't reliably play in all CD players, trademark">http://www.stereophile.com/news/11247/">trademark violations, and CDs that generate lawsuitshttp://www.stereophile.com/news/11134/">lawsuits; and consumer frustration from not being able to create a "fair-use" personal copy of a disc to throw in the car.

A long-running dispute between the music industry and small webcasters may have come to an amicable conclusion. Over the weekend of October 5-6, representatives from both sides agreed on a system of royalties to be paid to record labels and artists based on a percentage of webcaster revenue or expenses, rather than on a per song basis. Last summer, Librarian of Congress James Billington decreed that all webcasters should pay a royalty rate of 0.07¢ per song per 1000 listeners. Many small webcasters, including many college radio stations, chose to go offline rather than face fees they couldn't afford.

Amplifier of the year? We'll have to wait until the votes are tallied in the December issue, but Paul Bolin reviews the Halcro">http://www.stereophile.com//amplificationreviews/683/">Halcro dm58 monoblock power amplifier and reveals what the fuss is all about. As Bolin notes, "the sheer audacity of Halcro's claims generated much curiosity and interest."

Media critics may be right: If record companies had spent as much effort building a digital distribution network as they have fighting digital piracy, they might actually be making money online instead of complaining about it. This is the conclusion of a new report from KPMG and the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beginning early next year, digital satellite radio startups may have some competition from terrestrial broadcasters, thanks to an October 10 decision by the Federal">http://www.fcc.gov">Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

We've heard the sad tales from the record labels and distributors about their ever-weakening music sales, but there are other players in the market who are also feeling the pinch: retailers.

A "victory for consumers" may be a windfall for class-action attorneys and 41 states participating in a price-fixing">http://www.stereophile.com/news/10818/">price-fixing case against the music industry. Some schools and public libraries may also benefit.