Naim Offers High-Resolution Digital Content
Naim Audio's Naim Classics label has begun releasing recordings in Dual Pack format that contains both a Red-Book CD and 24-bit/88.2kHz audio DVD for $24.95. The exclusive US distributor of Naim's high resolution titles will be www.premieremusic.nethttp://www.premieremusic.net">www.premieremusic.net;.
Naim's Julian Vereker: May 7, 1945 - January 14, 2000
On January 14, anyone calling Naim Audio heard an Elgar recording, and visitors to the Naim">http://www.naim-audio.com">Naim website forum learned the sad news that founder and managing director Julian Vereker had died. The company—indeed, British hi-fi as a whole—is mourning the loss of one of its brightest and strongest personalities.
Nakamichi Seeks Protection
One of the most revered names in the audio industry is seeking legal protection from its creditors. On November 19, Nakamichi">http://www.nakamichi.com">Nakamichi Corporation Japan "applied to the court of Japan for a civil rehabilitation," in the words of a company press release on the development, issued the next day. On the 19th, Nakamichi stock closed at ¥22/share (approximately 17¢); the Tokyo Stock Exchange announced that the company would be de-listed effective May 20.
NAMM Notes
Like the audio exhibits at the CES earlier this month in Las Vegas, the NAMM show in Anaheim, California is all about the passion for, and the business of, music. Or, to put it another way, both shows are about making music.
Napster Caves in Latest Legal Round
Music file–sharing service Napster">http://www.napster.com/">Napster Inc. appears to be losing its fight against the Record">http://www.riaa.com/">Record Industry Association of America. On May 8, judge Marilyn Hall Patel of the US District Court in Northern California rejected two of Napster's key defenses: that it is a "mere conduit" of information, like a telephone network; and that it had made serious efforts to prevent "repeat offenders" from using the site. Telephone companies, Internet service providers, and other types of information services are exempt by law from being responsible for the information transmitted over their systems, provided they make reasonable attempts to control abuses. Napster doesn't qualify on either count, Judge Patel found.
Napster Fading Fast?
Andy Warhol's famous dictum—that eventually, everyone will enjoy 15 minutes of fame—could apply equally to Internet startups.
Napster Knockoffs Proliferate; Kenwood Unveils MP3 Enhancement
For months now, the music industry has concentrated all its legal firepower on Napsterhttp://www.napster.com/">Napster;, the Silicon Valley–based software company that lets users share music; and against San Diego's MP3.comhttp://www.mp3.com/">MP3.com;, which lets users upload their music to a central server and then access it from any Internet-connected computer. As of the end of June, it appears that MP3.com will likely be co-opted by the industry's Big Five until it is no longer a threat—two of the major labels have already settled with the startup—but Napster will fight on.
Napster Proclaims Legality of File-Swapping
Federal courts long ago established that music fans have certain "fair use" rights when it comes to making copies of recordings they own. They can transfer recordings from one format to another—such as from LP to cassette tape or from CD to MiniDisc—and they can share those recordings with others, provided that the results are only for private, noncommercial use.
Napster Reinstates Some Users, Attacks Offspring, Angers Madonna
The Napsterhttp://www.napster.com/">Napster; saga continues: Last week the Silicon Valley–based firm, which has been very successful with its MP3 file-sharing software, reinstated approximately 30,000 music fans who had signed online affidavits attesting that they had been mistakenly accused of appropriating songs by rock group Metallica. Those reinstated were slightly less than 10% of the 317,000 Napster users who had been booted from the system on May 3 as a result of legal attacks by Metallica.
Napster Still Under Siege
The Napster saga continues. As reported">http://www.stereophile.com/news/10725/">reported last week, software maker Napsterhttp://www.napster.com">Napster; and several colleges were looking at a likely court battle, instigated by music group Metallica and others attempting to prevent their songs from being distributed via MP3 audio files without official consent or payment of royalties. After Metallica announced its suit, rapper Dr. Dre also jumped in, giving Napster until last Friday to remove links to his work.