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Laura Sydell
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Laura Sydell

Friday

Business

RIAA Moves Against Online Music Swappers

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is making good on a promise to take legal action against people swapping copyrighted songs on the Internet. Officials at two Chicago-area universities say they have been served with subpoenas seeking the names of students suspected of illegally sharing files. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

RIAA Moves Against Online Music Swappers

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Tuesday

Business

Programmers Aim to Evade File-Sharing Crackdown

Two weeks ago, the Recording Industry Association of America announced plans to sue music fans who illegally swap copyright songs online. But some techies are already working on programs that help people share files while evading the recording industry. Laura Sydell reports.

Programmers Aim to Evade File-Sharing Crackdown

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Tuesday

National

California's Identity-Theft Law Takes Effect

In California, a new law aimed at curbing identity theft goes into effect. The law requires all companies to notify customers of security breaches that may have compromised their personal information. Hear NPR's Laura Sydell.

California's Identity-Theft Law Takes Effect

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Sunday

Friday

Culture

Illegal Online Music Swapping Hits All-Time High

After four years of a record industry war on illegal file-sharing, more people than ever are flouting the rules and swapping music online. The Recording Industry Association of America is trying various tactics to end the practice. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Illegal Online Music Swapping Hits All-Time High

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Thursday

Friday

Tuesday

Business

Laws Aimed at Curbing Unauthorized Downloads Criticized

The Motion Picture Association of America has been lobbying states to pass legislation that protects movies from unauthorized downloading and file sharing on the Internet. But some critics say that laws intended to restrict file swapping are also violating the privacy of Internet users who are not engaged in illegal activity. Hear NPR's Laura Sydell.

Laws Aimed at Curbing Unauthorized Downloads Criticized

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Friday

All Things Considered

Students to Pay Penalties in File-Sharing Case

Four college students agree to pay up to $17,500 each to settle lawsuits brought against each of them by the Recording Industry Association of America. They allegedly ran campus file-sharing networks that promoted unauthorized song-swapping. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Students to Pay Penalties in File-Sharing Case

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Monday

Morning Edition

'Shock and Awe' Games

NPR's Laura Sydell reports on a video game made available online last December, Desert Combat. Based on the current conflict in Iraq, the game allows players to use the same military hardware available to U.S. troops overseas, and even gives Iraqis the option of carrying out suicide bombings. Some are pleased at this unique opportunity to "vent" about the war, but critics of the game are offended by this move to turn deadly conflict into entertainment.

'Shock and Awe' Games

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Monday

National

Music Promoters, Clubs, Dismayed at Rave Act Passage

Music promoters and civil libertarians are dismayed at passage of the so-called Rave Act by Congress last week. The measure will permit courts to shut down clubs and raves if there's evidence of drug use. Opponents say the bill's broad powers and tough penalties will have a chilling effect on live music and dance clubs. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Music Promoters, Clubs, Dismayed at Rave Act Passage

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Monday

Culture

Diversity Marks 2003 Pulitzer Winners

This year's Pulitzer Prizes are announced Monday. Among the winners: Samantha Powers for her book on genocide called A Problem from Hell, Jeffrey Eugenides for his novel Middlesex about a hermaphrodite, and composer John Adams for his Sept. 11th-inspired music On The Transmigration of Souls. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Diversity Marks 2003 Pulitzer Winners

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Saturday

Weekend Edition Saturday

News By Web Log

NPR's Laura Sydell reports that the war in Iraq has generated increased interest in blogs, short for web logs. Blogging is the web-based practice of keeping an ever-updated personal account of some subject. Bloggers have become archivists, culling information they feel is not being presented in mainstream media and providing links to foreign news sources.

News By Web Log

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Friday

Special Coverage : Iraq

TV Coverage of Iraq War & Ethics of Embedding Journalists with Troops

The first ground images of the Iraqi conflict are unfolding on television news programs. Since the 1991 Gulf War, technology has developed to the point that TV viewers can now watch the war as it unfolds. As NPR's Laura Sydell reports, this is raising some concerns among journalists.

TV Coverage of Iraq War & Ethics of Embedding Journalists with Troops

Audio will be available later today.