E-Record Labels Rule!

Magnatune, http://magnatune.com/, an online record label, may become the music business model of the future.
1) Is there a possibility of online record companies gradually making traditional record companies obsolete?
2) Does the e-record business model represent a new marketing channel for music distribution?
3) Are there copyright issues relevant to this new e-record business model?
4) What are the possible ethical and social consequences of e-record distribution?

Let's have a thoughtful and meaningful discussion of the above.

Google enters the free WiFi service area

Goggle has launched a free WiFi "hotspot" service in San Francisco's Union Square adding another dimension to its search engine capability. http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=internetNews&storyID=2005-09-20T151529Z_01_SCH038745_RTRIDST_0_NET-GOOGLE-WIFI-DC.XML
Now that Google is in the Wi-Fi business along with its "Google Talk" http://www.google.com/talk/Web telephone and IM service, what will be the social and business implications in cyberspace?

TRUSTe Issues New Data Security Guidlines

In view of the recent attacks on personal information in violation of consumer's privacy the following article and power point presentaiton by TRUSTe is of interest to the e-commerce community.

TRUSTe states-
"Increasing criminal attacks on consumer and employee data have wrought a high price on individual privacy and trust. In accordance with TRUSTe’s broad mission to increase respect for personal identity and information, we are therefore pleased to issue draft Data Security Guidelines for use as a resource by our licensees and other members of the public. Meaningful protection of consumer privacy depends on a foundation of responsible data security practices" Read the article at:
http://www.truste.org/about/securityguidelines.php

See TRUSTe's power point presentaion: Security Guidelines Presentation by Cathy Bump, VP of Policy and Legal

Proposed Tax on Oregon Cell Phone Residents

Oregon cell phone residents' bills will increase an average of $2.50 per month under the proposed tax.

See New York Times Oregon is one of five states without a sales tax. Should it tax cell phone consumers to provide for this tax revenue deficit?

It seems our information is less secure than ever

The New York Times has reported that: "Reed Elsevier, owner of the LexisNexis databases, said Tuesday that Social Security numbers, driver's license information and the addresses of 310,000 people may have been stolen, 10 times more than it originally reported last month." For the complete report click here.