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Universal Music Group lost its lawsuit against an eBay vendor who sold promo CDs. I will link to a post by the EFF's Fred von Lohmann, one of the lawyers that represented the defendant. Here's an excerpt:

It's a month old, but last night I was looking over the 10-K of Entertainment Distribution Company, Inc. and noticed its mixed performance. The company was formed from the acquisition of Universal Music Group's manufacturing U.S.

Citing improved digital sales and the integration of BMG Music Publishing and Sanctuary, Vivendi announced Universal Music Group's Q1 2008 earnings today.

A few specifics on Nokia's "Comes With Music" initiative came to light today. (Read this December 2007 press release for more info.) Comes with Music is a plan the mobile operator to allow subscribers access to a large catalog of music. Nokia would pay a fee for access to a music company's catalog of music.

Yesterday the EFF filed a brief (download PDF) on behalf of eBay seller Troy Augusto, who is the defendant in a suit brought by Universal Music Group.

Music & Copyright has released a new report with global sales figures for recorded music. In 2007, Universal Music Group upped its market share of recorded music to 28.8% from 25.7% in 2006.

Vivendi announced its 2007 earnings last week (download PDF of earnings release). Yeah, I'm a bit late on this one. EBITA dropped 16.1% (12.9% at constant currency). Digital sales increased 51% (at constant currency).

Interesting post at MocoNews from the World Mobile Congress. Rob Wells, Universal Music Group SVP of Digital, talked about the goals of the company with an almost cinematic flair.

• Universal Music Group has overtaken EMI as the world's largest music publisher, according to a new report by Music & Copyright (M&C). UMG rose to 24% from 11.9% in 2006. EMI remained steady at 17%. UMG purchased Sony BMG's publishing assets last year. (Reuters)

• Warner/Chappell signed three pan-European licensing deals for digital uses. (