Although MP3.com has entered into settlement agreements with the five major record labels, they have chosen to ignore their infringing actions with respect to independent record labels.

This is a big sign-off on downloadable music. It brings some valid and legitimate content to MP3.

The idea is that instead of going to an online retail site ... and buying a physical CD and having it shipped to you, you actually can buy the song and download the song to your computer hard drive.

It's a great way for the RIAA to act like they're doing something progressive without really doing anything. The recording industry wants to control all channels of distribution ? that's the issue for them, and nothing's really changed.

I left the meeting feeling confident that the administration is going to take the proactive steps necessary to address the concerns that have been expressed by some community members.

Observe, orient, decide, act. It's fighter pilot terminology. If you have the faster OODA loop in a dogfight, you live. The other person dies. In Silicon Valley, the OODA loop of your decision-making is effectively what differentiates your ability to succeed.