• Impala, the Independent Music Comapnies Assocation, released a statement on the European Union investigation into Universal Music Group's purchase of BMG Publishing. "Our only request is for a level playing field and market access -- exactly what competition rules are intended to guarantee. In other words, give European music space on the market, let the consumer decide and give European citizens a Europe to be proud of." (Read press release)

• Universal South has hired Fletcher Foster to be its SVP and GM. Foster, previously the marketing chief of Captol Nashville, will start early next month. (Read article at The Tennessean)

• Performing rights organization BMI and Spiral Frog, an ad-supported P2P network, have completed a licensing agreement. Spiral Frog is set to debut in early 2007. It requires users to watch advertisements in return for free -- though rights-protected -- music files. Former BMI president and CEO Frances W. Preston is on Spiral Frog's board of directors, as is Jason Berman, former president of the RIAA and chairman of the IFPI. (Read press release)

• Jason Mraz, who is signed to Atlantic Records, has released a digital-only release through digital distributor Musicane. Selections For Friends, to be priced at $12.95, is a 13-track collection of live recordings. Consumers can purchase the album directly from www.jasonmraz.com. (Via Digital Music News. A week-old press release is here.)

• Artists manager Peter Jenner told The Register CD prices would increase as a result of a blanket license that enables legal file-sharing. The physical market, he figures, will dry up and prices will rise accordingly. I think that's an accurate assessment, though Jenner must know there are powerful retail forces that will fight higher wholesale prices. Prices won't jump wildly, though. Labels are still bullish on the CD format and will stay behind it. The Register sees the CD's longevity; audio quality is one reason for its resilience. (Read article at The Register)