Google Hires Top Industry Attorney To Jump Start New Music Service

Google has hired well known music attorney Elizabeth Moody to negotiate with record labels, music publishers and other rights holders for a planned Google Music service.

Sources close to recent negotiations with the label groups concerning similar music streaming services say that each of the four major labels are voicing different concerns making uniform - and profitable - deals difficult. Moody, a true music industry insider with deep experience working with most of the majors, backed by the deep pockets and prestige of Google, may be able to break the log jam that has kept Spotify and others of launching in the U.S.

“This is a really big deal," a former Moody client told TechCrunch. "She and (her law partner) Fred did everyones deal. That is a great hire for Google. The flipside is that I interpret this as another nail in the coffin for music startups…”

where the money is: a small breakdown of how it used to be in the music biz

Dave Chappelle forces pilot to land private jet after being deemed a 'safety risk': report

Barket/Everet

A plane traveling from New Jersey to Ohiomade an emergency landing Friday night after the comedian was deemed a safety risk, TMZ.com reports. Dave Chappelle is used to bring down the house, but this is something else entirely.

Chappelle reportedly refused to buckle his seat belt and repeatedly entered the cockpit during the flight. At one point, sources told the gossip Web site that the 36-year-old funnyman grabbed the pilot's arms.

The pilot diverted the jet to Pittsburgh after deciding Chappelle was a safety risk.

According to the comedian's rep, Chappelle had wanted to use the bathroom after eating something bad, but the toilet on board didn't suit his needs.

After landing in Pittsburgh, the former "Comedy Central" star reportedly checked into a hotel where he told employees he wanted to rent a car to drive back home to Ohio, but couldn't remember his address

Cavs owner 'strongly' disagrees with Jackson's criticism

July 12, 2010 4:40 PM | UPDATED STORY

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert says he "strongly" disagrees with Jesse Jackson's criticism of his recent comments about superstar LeBron James.

Following James' announcement last week that he was leaving Cleveland to join the Miami Heat, Gilbert fired off an incendiary letter to Cavs fans, ripping the 25-year-old and calling his decision "cowardly behavior."

Later, Gilbert told The Associated Press that he felt the NBA's two-time MVP quit during the playoffs the past two years and that James "has gotten a free pass."

On Sunday, Jackson responded to Gilbert's remarks by saying the Cavs owner sees James as a "runaway slave" and that Gilbert's comments put the player in danger.

In a statement released by the team today, Gilbert tried to put an end to the issue.

"I strongly disagree with Rev. Jesse Jackson's recent comments and we are not going to engage in any related discussion on it," Gilbert said. "Going forward, we're very excited about the Cavaliers and the positive future of our region."

Gilbert is in Las Vegas attending the owners' meetings.

James' publicist, Keith Estabrook, declined comment to The AP.