• Universal Music Group will offer DRM-free downloads through a select group of online retailers -- but not iTunes. From August 21 through January 2008, UMG will sell "thousands" of albums and tracks without copy protection at Rhapsody, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, PureTracks and the upcoming Amazon.com download store. In addition, UMG will sell the downloads direct to consumer at some artist and label sites, and use Google AdWords to drive purchases at gBox. (Billboard.biz)

• Listen to a WYNC interview with with QSR editor Sherri Daye Scott about how fast food chains are using music in their marketing efforts. (Podcast at QSR Magazine)

• Video sharing website Veoh has filed a preemptive lawsuit against Universal Music Group. The company has asked a judge to prevent UMG from suing it for copyright infringement. (paidContent)

• Yet another article on the resurgence of vinyl. At least this one has a video segment and a really great quote. From Criminal Records' Eric Levin, "Vinyl is just out of control. It's like somebody pushed the cool button again." Indie retailers are selling more vinyl because of a few reasons. First, it's a tangible product that sounds better than downloads. Second, whatever chain stores are left sell little or no vinyl. I've got to wonder, though, that if vinyl sales keep going up if a chain like Best Buy will start stocking vinyl and carrying turntables. If vinyl becomes too successful, it will look like too attractive a market not to enter. (Chicago Tribune)

• Digital Music Group Inc. reported a loss of $1.1 million on revenues of $3.2 million for Q2 2007. The company attributed almost $330,000 of the loss to expenses related to its merger with digital distributor The Orchard. The merger will be completed in Q4. Last year's loss was $589,000. (Sacramento Business Journal)