• Clear Channel, decided a judge on Tuesday, must defend itself against a class-action lawsuit that alleges the company used its market power to inflate ticket prices. Clear Channel spun off its live music division two years ago, which created Live Nation. The plaintiffs' lawyers argue that Clear Channel bid up the price paid to some artists to prevent regional promoters from competing. The lawsuit also argues that artists have no choice but to promote their concerts on Clear Channel-owned radio stations. That combination of financial power and radio ownership is at the heat of the case. (CNN Money)

• As with most rap-related articles these days, this one has to do with a consumer product: Diddy has inked a deal with Diageo PLC to help build Ciroc Vodka's brand. Diddy will get 50% of the profits over the life of the multi-year deal. (Billboard.biz)

• A new study has advice for radio stations seeking to grab new listeners: play new music. Respondents aged 14 to 24 said fresh and new music was the leading reason they listen to radio, followed by variety and information (such as traffic and news). Said the report, "Our research shows radio is still in the game for their entertainment time, but radio has considerable ground to make up if it hopes to capture even the majority of the youth in the future. Unless enough local radio operators recommit to target young listeners and reshape their content and distribution methods to appeal to their unique needs, then the disturbing trends we see in this research are likely to get worse." (Radio Ink)

• Rapper Mr. Mack, who hails from Knoxville,Tennessee, has been signed to Universal Republic. (WBIR.com)

• Mobile music and video operator mSpot now has over two million subscribers. In the last six months, the company has inked deals with ABC Radio Networks, Clear Channel Radio, Island Def Jam Music Group and Sprint. (Press release)

• Smart marketing on the cheap: French dance duo Daft Punk are offering a widget to promote the release of their upcoming live album. The widget has links to promotional pages at Facebook, MySpace and YouTube. (Brand Republic)

• A few days late on this one: SpiralFrog now has a licensing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Though the company is bleeding money, I've got to hand it to them for putting Madlib's Beat Konducta Vols. 3 and 4 on its front page. Heck, it's just nice to see something other than a Universal Music Group title featured on the site. (Press release)

[music jobs] The Beggars Group & Matador Records is seeking a Paralegal