EMI has agreed to drop the digital locks that have become standard for online music. Other music companies have argued the locks prevent piracy, but critics say they prevent consumers from freely using their purchases. Endgadget editor Ryan Block discusses the industry's attempts to secure its ...

Simply put, “fair use” is a legal principle that allows copyrighted material to be used without permission from or payment to the owner. But a recent symposium on the subject at New York University demonstrated just how difficult it is to know what constitutes fair. And in the meantime, many ...

In 1960, legendary disc jockey Alan Freed was indicted for accepting music industry money in exchange for radio air time. The scandal sparked anti-"payola" legislation, but loopholes have persisted. Last month, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer launched an investigation into modern forms of pay-for-play by the major record labels. ...