Judge revokes visitation rights

As she gets ready to release her much-discussed comeback album in 10 days, Britney Spears just can't seem to get on the right side of the law. A judge ruled this week that the troubled pop star may not see her two young children, 2-year-old Sean Preston and 1-year-old Jayden James, who are in the custody of Spears' ex-husband, Kevin Federline, until she complies with a court order.

The ruling by Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon did not indicate what directives Spears defied. An October 26 hearing will likely bring more clarity to the case. In granting full custody to Federline last month, Gordon ordered her to undergo random weekly drug testing, citing evidence that Spears engaged in "habitual, frequent and continuous use of controlled substances and alcohol."

Spears was unable to visit with her children without a parenting coach present, but is now unable to see them at all, at least until the hearing. Both parents have been ordered to remain sober around their children.

Report: Live Nation to buy Madonna's merchandising firm

Live Nation is not done investing in Madonna. The New York Post reported today that the concert promotion giant, which vastly expanded its business earlier this week with a $120 million deal with the pop star, is in advanced talks to acquire the Material Girl's merchandising company, Signatures Network.

Live Nation is paying around $50 million for Signatures Network, which holds the rights to license and market more than 125 artists including U2, Kanye West, and Bruce Springsteen, the paper reported. Live Nation recently bought complete ownership of UltraStar, which runs the official artist Web sites for Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Police, and others. The company also recently bought fan club ticketing service Musictoday and merchandising company Ant Hill Trading.

Winehouse busted for pot in Norway

By many recent accounts, Amy Winehouse is on the mend, trying to put her alleged bout with hard drugs, possible drug overdose, and subsequent stint in rehab in the past. But that comeback took a hit last night when the British singer was arrested in Norway for marijuana possession and held overnight, police in Oslo told the Associated Press. Winehouse, her husband Blake Fielder-Civil, and a third person were released at around 7 a.m. today after paying $715 in fines.

The trio was arrested shortly after 6 p.m. at a hotel in Bergen in southwestern Norway, where Winehouse is on a European tour, after a tip to police. Police said they found seven grams (about 1/4-ounce) of marijuana. Winehouse was to perform in Oslo Saturday, before heading to the Netherlands on Monday.

Death Cab guitarist's hard drive seized

When the solo album of Death Cab for Cutie guitarist and producer Chris Walla hits stores on January 29, it will have traveled quite a journey to get there. Federal border agents seized a computer hard drive containing the master tracks for Walla's forthcoming album, Field Manual, but have since decided it passed inspection and can be released.

The hard drive, along with the songs on tape, were being delivered to Seattle-based Barsuk Records from a studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, when US Border Patrol agents seized the hard drive September 19, Walla told the Associated Press. "I don't know what red flag could possibly have gone up at the border," Walla told the AP. "It's so baffling to me."

Beanie Sigel avoids car theft charges

Beanie Sigel rented a 2007 Nissan Altima from Payless Car Rental in July, but the rapper had to pay a lot more to avoid being charged with stealing the car. Sigel--real name Dwight Grant--rented the car in July, but didn't return it by the August 13 due date or contact the rental company, police said. Payless, which continued to charge his credit card, reported the car stolen on September 6.

Someone returned the car to Payless on October 5, just as detectives went to Sigel's home in the suburb of Lansdale to arrest him, police said. The vehicle had accumulated $5,000 in late fees. Sigel has paid the fees and police have withdrawn the charges.