Steve Jobs Comments Cause Uproar: Steve Jobs comments yesterday that record companies should do away with copyright protection angered music industry executives. CEO of Apple Steve Jobs published an open letter on Tuesday arguing that selling music online without such protections – known as digital rights management – would make it easier for consumers to listen to music on different devices, boosting the overall market. Critics suggested that Mr Jobs’s true motive was to defuse legal problems in Europe, where Apple is being asked to make iTunes compatible with other devices. Several record executives said they would take a tougher line on variable pricing when their iTunes contracts come up for renewal from this May, and may also push for some share of iPod revenues.

Canned at Capitol: According to R&R seven promo staffers were axed at Capitol. The pink slip in Capitol and Virgin has not even reached the pinnacle yet.

Jermain Dupri is Back in Business: Record executive Jermain Dupri was axed or forced out from Virgin Records for lackluster sales from Janet Jackson. Jermain Dupri accepted the position as the president of its newly formed Island Urban Music

We Need ‘Hits’: Many insiders feel that there could not be a better time for management companies developing artists. The word is that the executives at majors are so consumed trying to figure out how to market dead weight and have ignored prospecting new talent. Management companies with developing artists will win this year because labels desperately need ‘Hits’. After a year of head scratching, labels now realize that radio and not the internet alone is still largely responsible for selling records for the next years to come. Some say that labels can no longer afford to sign artists without smashes.

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