• by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, July 28, 2006

Are major record labels making peace with the Web? Possibly, at least judging by recent events.

Consider: the Recording Industry Association of America and file-sharing company Kazaa finally settled their long-running dispute this week with a deal that calls for Kazaa's parent company, Sharman Networks, to pay $115 million to EMI Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music and Warner Music.

Also, Metallica, longtime foe of all digital downloading services, this week began offering its music--including some newly released live tracks--on iTunes. The heavy-metal band, which sued Napster in 2000 for encouraging piracy, posted a statement online explaining its change of heart: "We will begin offering our music on the iTunes Music Store, a Cupertino, CA-based upstart outfit, who we feel may very well have a bright future," the band wrote.

And today, The Rolling Stones, who surely remember when the music industry believed mixed tapes posed a piracy threat, is embracing a cutting-edge technology. Reuters reports the group will use a new service, "Listen Live Now," in which fans pay to hear telephone broadcasts of live concerts. The cost is $1.99 for seven minutes--and the first effort kicks off today at their concert in Paris.

Reuters says the broadcast will be interrupted at the six-minute mark with a voice warning--which theoretically hinders consumers from later selling the tape. As an anti-piracy device, this system sounds far from foolproof. Still, the Stones are willing to take the risk that new technologies will ultimately serve their fans, even if those technologies also increase the risk of copyright violations.

Hey, All You Stars... It's that time again: MediaPost seeks nominations for the Online All Stars. We are seeking individuals who exemplify excellence and leadership in online media, marketing and advertising. Media company executives and online ad technology providers/vendors will not be considered. The editors will select three marketers, three media agency strategists and three creative directors who passionately evangelize and deploy digital media and marketing strategies. The All Stars will be feted at a party on Sept. 25 during the OMMA Conference & Expo and honored in the pages of OMMA magazine's October issue. Send all nominations to telkin@mediapost.com with "All Stars" in the subject line by Aug. 4.