Warner Music files lawsuit against Imeem

Another day, another lawsuit in the digital music business. Warner Music Group filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against social networking site Imeem, saying the site invites users to illegally copy its music. In a suit filed in US District Court in Los Angeles, Warner accused Imeem, a social networking site that lets users upload MP3 files and share playlists with each other, of building a base of 16 million users on illegal free music.

"Imeem is no innocent infringer," Warner stated in the complaint. "It invites Imeem's millions of users to flock to its website to copy, adapt, distribute, and perform unlicensed sound recordings and music videos." That claim comes despite Imeem's use of a warning to users not to upload media that they do not own, as that can violate artists' copyrights and is against the law. Warner said it is seeking up to $150,000 in damages for each copyrighted work infringed on the site. Imeem has not yet commented on the suit.

Patent filing hints at two-sided iPod

One month away before the iPhone dominates the digital landscape, word is that Apple is working on a two-sided iPod. The company reportedly has filed a patent design for an iPod-type device that has the main controls on the back. The patent was filed back in January, but the filing was published this week, leading many to speculate what a two-side iPod would look like. According to the diagrams and text filed by Apple, the front of the device is taken up with the screen while the click-wheel and touch sensitive controls are on the back of the product.

Microsoft unveils Halo 3 Zune

Looking to tie its fledgling Zune player to what will likely be the biggest video game of 2007, Microsoft has unveiled a Halo 3 version of its Zune player. The Halo 3-branded Zune, which will hit shelves next month, comes loaded with a collection of Halo content, including videos, soundtracks, trailers, ads, and artwork. Halo 3 is the final chapter in the popular Halo trilogy and is set to hit stores September 25 exclusively for Microsoft's Xbox 360 console.

"Halo 3 is much more than a video game release; it's the biggest entertainment event of the year," Microsoft's Peter Moore said in a statement. "On Sept. 25, we intend to deliver a finale that will go down in entertainment history and leave people around the world with an experience that will be shared and enjoyed for years to come."

In related news, Dow Jones Newswires reported today that Microsoft is building a factory in China to manage the production of the next Zune player more closely. Zune's next iteration will be marketed with varying prices and degrees of storage capacity, and there has been speculation that the device will be thinner and offer smaller-capacity Flash-based players as well, similar to the iPod Nano. The first Zune, released last November, was manufactured by Toshiba.

Disney launches download store for kids

Following a year that saw its albums like High School Musical and Hannah Montana top the charts, Disney is cashing in, launching a digital download store focused on kids-centric music. Disney Mix Central will consist primarily of kid-focused singles, albums, and music videos. Initially, it will offer about 1,500 songs and 19 music videos from Disney stars such as Hannah Montana and The Cheetah Girls. Disney already sold music and video downloads through iTunes and other outside digital retailers, and Disney Mix Central will charge the iTunes standard of 99 cents a song, $1.99 for a music video, and $9.99 for an album.