Music labels probed for price fixing

The four major record companies have been asked to submit information to a New York State inquiry into alleged price fixing for music downloads. Warner Music revealed that along with EMI, Sony BMG and Warner it had received a request from state attorney general Elliot Spitzer, who is thought to be looking primarily at record labels' pricing decision and for evidence, if it exists, that they have colluded. Under both state and federal law price fixing is illegal. ...more

UPDATED: Sony makes its iPod play

Sony is updating the Walkman brand in a bid to take on the hugely successful iPod. A new 20GB device is to be launched 10 July in Japan, with August and September release dates following for the States and then Europe, reports Reuters. According to the news agency, the digital music player will be dubbed the Network Walkman NW-HD1. ...more

Dixons to put Napster in 1,100 stores

Napster has signed a pre-launch deal with Dixons, which will see the high street retailer promote the online music store once it is launched in the UK. Dixons will promote the Napster service and stock its music software and branded products throughout its chain of 1,100 Dixons, PC World, The Link and Currys store. Napster software will also be pre-loaded on all own brand PCs - Advent, Ei System, and Patriot - together with a 'unique offer for a Napster Premium service subscription'. ...more

Privacy groups attack Microsoft - again

The complaints mount up as Windows XP nears launch. Privacy groups have requested an injunction and investigation against Microsoft, claiming that the software company is engaging in "unfair and deceptive trade practices." Last month the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) sent a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, predicting that Windows XP would be the primary means for consumers to gain Internet access, and that Microsoft intended to glean personal data from the millions of users via its . ...more

Microsoft re-signs NHS to nine-year licensing deal

A nine year deal has been signed by Microsoft and the National Health Service which gives the NHS a licence to use Microsoft software across 900,000 computers. Neither Microsoft nor the NHS will confirm the value of the deal although The Times today mentioned a figure of around ?500 million over the term of the contract. According to sources, this is around the same figure for a previous contract. ...more