• The four major radio broadcasters -- CBS Radio, Citadel Broadcasting, Clear Channel Communications and Entercom Communications -- will pay a collective $12.5 million to close out allegations of payola. The broadcasters agree to adopt "rules of engagement" that include limits on gifts, regular personal training on payola restrictions and prohibition on stations and employees of exchanging airplay for cash or other gifts. (Variety)

• The Future of Music Coalition quickly issued a response to the payola settlement, calling it"a major - but tentative -- step toward once again opening the nation's airwaves to local music and voices." (Future of Music Coalition)

• BMI and Radio Music License Committee have extended by three years their previous ten-year performing right agreement for commercial radio stations. (Press release)

• Vagrant Records to launch Density, an imprint for heavier music. (Billboard.biz)

• Music attorney Steve Gordon examines the legal questions surrounding digital downloads as public performances. ASCAP is seeking a court ruling to declare downloads to be public performances, thus increasing the royalties paid by digital music services. Gordon called ASCAP's claim "tenuous" and pointed out that MaryBeth Peters, the Register of Copyrights, has indicated the office does not support such a proposition. (The Register)

• There's a report out of Australia that the music industry has been discussing new guidelines with ISPs. One proposal is a plan to cut off phone and Internet service to people who illegally download music. The impetus for the discussions could have been the country's weak first quarter. The Sunday Mail reported the value of first quarter 2007 sales were down more than 20% versus the same period in 2006. (The Sunday Mail)