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RIAA Sues 12-Year-Old
AP reports: A 12-year-old girl in New York who was among the first to be sued by the record industry for sharing music over the Internet is off the hook after her mother agreed Tuesday to pay $2,000 to settle the lawsuit, apologizing and admitting that her daughter's actions violated U.S. copyright laws. 

The hurried settlement involving Brianna LaHara, an honors student, was the first announced one day after the Recording Industry Association of America  filed 261 such lawsuits across the country. Lawyers for the RIAA said Brianna's mother, Sylvia Torres, contacted them early Tuesday to negotiate. 

"We understand now that file-sharing the music was illegal," Torres said in a statement distributed by the recording industry. "You can be sure Brianna won't be doing it anymore." 

Brianna added: "I am sorry for what I have done. I love music and don't want to hurt the artists I love." 

The case against Brianna was a potential minefield for the music industry from a public relations standpoint. The family lives in a city housing project on New York's Upper West Side, and they said they mistakenly believed they were entitled to download music over the Internet because they had paid $29.99 for software that gives them access to online file-sharing services. 

Even in the hours before the settlement was announced, Brianna was emerging as an example of what critics said was overzealous enforcement by the powerful music industry.

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It is going to be fun to watch the backlash against these lawsuits. Keep an eye out for this headline, "Pope Sued For Trading Gregorian Chant MP3's". 

Vegas New Years For Metallica?
siN's metal news reports: The good people over at Intersandman.com report that KOMP 92.3 in Las Vegas is hinting strongly METALLICA will play New Years Eve at the Hard Rock Cafe's 'The Joint'. - Click Here for the Full Story

Isn't that Axl's annual gig? 

DMB In NYC 4 Charity
Billboard reports: - The day after Dave Matthews releases his RCA solo debut, "Some Devil," the Dave Matthews Band will play a benefit show in New York's Central Park that is expected to draw upwards of 100,000 people. 

Full details of the Sept. 24 event will be announced Friday (Sept. 12). 

America Online is sponsoring the show and is using it to hype the newest version of its software, AOL 9.0. The concert, which RCA will tape for an immediate DVD and CD release, will be held on the park's Great Lawn and will raise funds for the AOL Concert for the Schools! program, which will benefit the Fund for Public Schools of New York City and the Music Resource Center in DMB's homebase of Charlottesville, Va. 

Tickets are free and can be obtained through AOL and DMB's official fan association, the Warehouse.  Donations of at least $25 are requested and all seats are general admission. The band is also offering Warehouse/fan club members "preferred viewing section passes," which includes access to a backstage barbecue picnic and an exclusive viewing area on the Great Lawn.- Click Here for the Full Story and More on Zevon

Slayer Clothing Line
Blabbermouth: SLAYER guitarist Kerry King has launched his very own clothing line, dubbed KFK Industries. An official web site (www.kfkindustries.com) is currently under construction and will reportedly include SLAYER merchandise as well as details on King's "Guitar Abuse" clinics that he has recently been doing. According to a source close to SLAYER, "[Kerry]'s very excited about [the clothing line]. He will sell a variety of items [and] will be [personally] designing and approving all merchandise." More information is expected soon. - Click Here for the Full Story

�and keep your eyes pealed for antiMUSIC's new clothing line� "Hater Wear"  ®! You'll look cool sporting your new Hater t-shirt that proclaims to the world slogans like "RIAA: Got Sued?", "Authentic $30 Corporate Punk T-shirt" ®, and the Greenmuse inspired "Jesus Had A Mullet, So Should You."®. 

The Vines Finish
NME reports: THE VINES are now mixing their second album having recorded 11 songs for the follow-up to �HIGHLY EVOLVED'.

The LP is expected to be released early in 2004, and the new material has been described by singer Craig Nicholls as "futuristic but, at the same time, really very raw". Among the songs expected to be included are live regulars 'Autumn Shade II', 'f*** The World', 'Amnesia' and 'Evil Town'. .- Click Here for the Full Story

RIAA Amnesty May Land You In Jail
Music Dish reports: If you sign the RIAA Amnesty, you could land in court on a criminal charge. 

That, says the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation), is the bottom line because the RIAA offer of protection is largely illusory. 

"In reality, the RIAA cannot actually protect anyone from all civil suits, and individuals who sign these affidavits may open themselves up to criminal prosecution," it says. .- Learn more with the Full Story . 

Gene Simmons TV
Blabbermouth reports: KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons is "negotiating with a television outlet for a Gene Simmons reality show," according to Gene's latest posting on his web site. "Also, [I] am having discussions about a SECOND possible show � different in concept. But, that's all I can say for now about these two projects."

"[I] am proud to announce that my cartoon show, 'My Dad The Rock Star' (Nelvana) debuted on Teletoons (the Canadian Cartoon Channel) on the 6th of Sept. The first go 'round (because the show is Canadian/French financed) is in Canada and France. Thereafter, it will see the light of day in America and the world.

"We have 26 episodes, I'm proud to say. I've gotten calls from people who have seen it and liked it."

"I've also been spending some time developing two new TV REALITY SHOWS that are developing a good head of steam. More on this as it develops."
- Click Here Full Story

So instead of Ozzy yelling "Shaaaaarrrrrrooooonnnnnn" we will get to see Gene yell at his butler, "Bring me my cookies" and "Where is my camera, the groupies are waiting?" But the real question that remains is; will the climax of each episode show Gene counting his money? 

What Are They Up To Now Update: The Offspring
VPunkbands.com reports: The Offspring is changing the name of their new disc, acknowledging the decision to title the album Chinese Democracy had brought production to a halt. The new Offspring CD will now be called "Splinter". The release is scheduled for November 11th, 2003. - Click Here for Full Story

**Press Releases**
Snippets from some of the press releases that have come in over the past 24 hours

Lo-Pro
From Geffen: n 2002, Aaron Lewis, lead singer of STAIND, signed the first band, Lo-Pro, to his new 413 Records imprint in conjunction with Geffen Records President Jordan Schur. Less than a year later, Lo-Pro is gearing up for the September 30th release of their self-titled debut set. 

The Southern California-based band was founded by former Ultraspank members Peter Murray (vocals) and Neil Godfrey (guitar). The two are joined by drummer Tommy Stewart (Godsmack), bassist John Fahnestock (Snot, Amen) and guitarist Pete Ricci. Lo-Pro was recorded in Los Angeles at NRG studio with producer Don Gilmore (Linkin Park) at the boards http://www.lopromusic.com

Velvet Revolver Make It Official.
A bit of old news by now but RCA issued the official press release today: 

Velvet Revolver, the much buzzed-about rock group featuring Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland, former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagan, drummer Matt Sorum and guitarist Dave Kushner from Dave Navarro's band, has signed an exclusive worldwide recording agreement with RCA Records. The quintet will release its highly anticipated debut album in 2004.

"This is a milestone signing for RCA. Velvet Revolver is distinguished by not only its powerhouse musicianship but also by its new material. The songs I've heard will propel this group to the very forefront of rock music today," said Clive Davis, Chairman/CEO RCA Music Group.

"We're thrilled to partner with RCA Records and its legendary chief, the enigmatic Clive Davis," says Velvet Revolver. "We believe this marriage will be a loyal, dedicated and fruitful relationship not based solely on business, but instead on the thing that once dared us all to dream-music." 

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