• Drag City Records is launching a world music label called Yaala Yaala Records. The first three releases will be from West African artists. (Pitchfork)

• The maker of a DRM software is threatening to sue companies such as Apple and Microsoft, claiming that its product is so effective that by not using it the companies are enabling their products to violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. (Computing)

• I've ignore the firestorm over offensive rap lyrics mainly because it's a hot political issue (for the next few weeks anyway) that may not have any financial ramifications. This AP article looks at the majors' silence over the issue and argues the reason for their silence is almost purely financial. They "fear cracking the door to censorship," wrote Marcus Franklin, or that they would take silence over protecting the lyrics, or that "they are leery of stepping into a racial minefield." (AP)