THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY MAY 7 2007
NEWS
MUSIC DOWNLOADS
3A
Damian Doyarganes/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Professor David Scholle, who has purchased several hundred songs from Apple's iTunes online music store, poses at his computer as he prepares for class at Long Beach Community College in Long Beach, Calif. As a new round of talks ramp up this month, Apple CEO Steve Jobs has opened the door to higher prices. In return, he wants music companies to let him sell their songs without technology designed to stop unauthorized copying.
Apple considers price increase
iTunes songs increase 30 cents, sold without technology that stops copying
BY ALEX VEIGA
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES — The last time Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs took on major recording companies, he refused to budge on his 99-cent price for a song on iTunes.
As a new round of talks ramp up this month, however, Jobs has opened the door to higher prices, as long as music companies let Apple sell their songs without technology designed to stop unauthorized copying.
Jobs contends that would "tear down the walls" by allowing consumers to play music they buy at Apple's iTunes store on any digital music player, not just the company's iPods.
Although most of the major labels insist that safeguards are still needed ' to stave off online piracy and make
other digital music business models work, one company has already struck a deal with Apple.
Last month, Britain's EMI Music Group PLC, home to artists such as Coldplay, Norah Jones and Joss Stone, agreed to let iTunes sell tracks without the copy-protection technology known as digital-rights management.
The DRM-free tracks cost 30 cents more than copy-restricted versions of EMI songs and feature enhanced sound quality.
The other major labels — Warner Music Group Corp., Vivendi's Universal Music Group, and Sony BMG Music Entertainment, a joint venture of Sony Corp. Bertelsmann AG — will be watching closely to see how the unrestricted EMI tracks sell.
its position in the marketplace," said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with Jupiter Research. "The fact that they were able to do this deal with EMI puts more pressure on some of the other labels to follow suit."
For their part, at least two of the recording companies will ask Jobs to sell a wider variety of content in digital bundles of songs, videos and other multimedia, according to two recording company executives familiar with their companies' plans. They spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the confidential nature of the negotiations.
Apple already sells some bundled tracks, but the music companies hope expanding those offerings will boost online revenue and help offset lagging CD sales.
Apple and the recording companies declined official comment on their negotiations.
"At this point, no one can ignore Apple or what Apple wants, given
Police react violently at rally
>> IMMIGRATION PROTEST
Demonstrators, media consider legal action against police department
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, center, talks at MacArthur Park. Jose Perez claims he was injured in the same park during a clash between the Los Angeles Police Department, immigration rights demonstrators and members of the media, in Los Angeles, Calif.
BY ANDREW GLAZER ASSOCIATED PRESS
Stefano Paltera/ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa condemned the police department's use of force against demonstrators and reporters at an immigration rally, saying he was "deeply, personally troubled" by the clash.
The mayor returned home Friday after cutting short a trade mission to El Salvador and Mexico amid criticism for being out of town since Tuesday's melee at MacArthur Park.
"Like every Angeleno I was deeply, personally troubled by the events of May 1st," the mayor said at city hall. "Those images hit me in the gut.
"We don't need a long and lengthy investigation to stand up and speak to the truth. What happened on May 1st was wrong," he said.
Police struck reporters and demonstrators with batons and fired more than 240 rubber bullets into a crowd that included children at the end of an immigration rights rally. Officers say they responded after being pelted by rocks and bottles.
Though no one was seriously hurt, images of baton-wielding officers knocking people to the ground have played repeatedly on cable TV newscasts, ramping up the pressure on Villaraigosa to return from the trade mission.
State legislators, immigration activists and others returned to MacArthur Park on Friday to denounce the department's conduct.
"To say we are outraged is an understatement," said state assembly speaker Fabian Nunez, (D-Los
At least four investigations, including an FBI civil rights inquiry, have been opened into the police response. Three protesters filed a federal lawsuit, alleging police violated their constitutional rights.
Angeles). "We want those responsible in the highest levels of the LAPD to pay consequences."
The police union criticized Nunez for what it called "police hazing"
"Setting up the population to believe that law enforcement is the enemy is a dangerous game," union President Robert Baker wrote in a letter Friday. "It proves a lethal us-against-them, anti-law enforcement mentality that encourages violence against police officers."
Nunez's spokesman Steve Maviglio said late Friday that the speaker's outrage "should not be misconstrued as attack on the entire LAPD but rather at the command staff and the few officers who were using excessive force ... The police union should be outraged as well since the few who did this tarnishes the reputation of the brave officers who protect and defend us."
Police Chief William J. Bratton expressed "grave concern" about what happened and promised a full investigation. He said the use of force began while officers were dealing with 50 to 100 "agitators" who threw objects. At the press conference, he said he was "embarrassed for this department and embarrassed for the city we serve"
Meanwhile, KTTV television news camerawoman Patti Ballaz filed a claim for unspecified damages against the city and police department alleging civil rights violations. The full nature of Ballaz's actual injuries was not yet clear. She suffered a fractured wrist and injuries to her ankle and was hit in the breast with a police baton, said Kathy Pinckert, a spokeswoman for Ballaz's attorneys.
There was no official tally of how many reporters were struck by police. Local media groups said they would meet this weekend to determine how to proceed.
Victor Narro, an attorney with the National Lawyers Guild who helped organize Tuesday's demonstration, said his group is reviewing videotape and considering whether to sue the department. He noted that in one tape he saw police fire a rubber round at a boy who appeared to be 10 and "toss him aside like a piece of meat."
John Mack, president of the Police Commission, told reporters the clash was "a terrible breakdown."
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS COUNCIL
Google
Come listen to Google's Senior International Marketing Manager, Katchen Gerig talk about the future of e-marketing and her professional success.
Friday, May 11th at 11am Place: Summerfield RM.428 Sponsored by the GBC and UBC
YOUR AD HERE
Attention Student
If your student organization is registered with the Student Involvement and Leadership Ceneter, you may get FREE ADVERTISING here in the Kansan through Student Senate!
Groups:
Email rachhawk@ku.edu for more information!
KU ROTARACT
KU Rotaract is a new club on campus interested in personal and community development through community service! This club gives you an opportunity to get involved in the KU and Lawrence communities as well as network with those who are part of the International Rotary organization
If you are interested or would like more information, please e-mail KUrotaract@hotmail.com
May 7th,2007
PAID FOR BY KU
funded by:
STUDENT
SENATE
Chabad Student Center & KU Hillel present...
Courage in the Face of Challenge
A Memorial Tribute to Professor Liviu Librescu
the Victims of Virginia Tech Join us for a Discussion with: Professor Lou Frydman
A Child Survivor of the Holocaust
Dedicate a "Light of Goodness and Kindness on the Wall of Rememberance
Tuesday, May 8 7:00 p.m.
Walnut Room (6th Floor) Kansas Union