Van Halen is Back with David Lee Roth

Van Halen has officially announced their 2007 North American  tour. After a long standing rumor and partial confirmations from Van Halen camp, David Lee Roth rejoins the Van Halen brothers. Unfortunately, this is not the complete reunion of the original Van Halen since bassist Michael Anthony will not be joining the band. In lieu of Anthony, Eddie Van Halen’s son Wolfgang will be taking the bass duty. This should be billed as “Van Halen, Van Halen, roth, and Van Halen”.

The official press release:

http://www.van-halen.com/pressrelease.html

Megadeth “United Abominations” Artwork

Roadrunner Records has revealed the finished album artwork for Megadeth’s upcoming “United Abominations” record. The artwork can be viewed at this location: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/artists/Megadeth/showphoto.aspx?photoID=15391

“United Abominations” is scheduled for release on May 08, 2007 through Roadrunner Records.

I’ll post the high resolution artwork here whenever I get the “OK”.

Megadeth will take part in Canadian dates of “Heaven and Hell Tour 2007” alongside Heaven and Hell (Dio, Iommi, Butler, and Appice) and Down (Pantera’s Anselmo and Brown).

Megadeth DVD “That One Night – Live in Buenos Aires” is scheduled for March 06, 2007 release date.

http://www.megadeth.com/

Apple and Cisco on iPhone: “We Can Work It Out”

Apple and Cisco are apparently back on iPhone trademark negotiations. Cisco has posted a joint statement regarding the iPhone trademark.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. January 31, 2007 – Apple and Cisco have agreed to extend the time for Apple to respond to the lawsuit to allow for discussions between the companies with the aim of reaching agreement on trademark rights and interoperability.

Apple and Cisco have been negotiating the use of iPhone trademark prior to MacWorld San Francisco 2007. Apple was reported to have abandoned negotiations the night before Steve Jobs Keynote. Cisco immediately filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Apple for the use of iPhone trademark following the introductions of Apple iPhone by Steve Jobs.
http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2007/corp_011007.html

According to many reports, apparently Apple is holding “iPhone” trademarks in most part of the world with the exceptions of The United States and Canada.
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2145
http://10layers.com/2006/10/apple-filing-for-iphone-trademarks-worldwide/
http://news.com.com/2100-1036_3-6153865.html

According to some analyst Cisco might have lost their hold on “iPhone” trademark sometimes in 2006 for failing to use and defend the trademark.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Burnette/?p=236

Apple and Cisco are working together again to avoid the messy lawsuits and to benefit both companies.

Warner Music Group Officially Acquires Roadrunner Music Group

Warner Music Group has officially completed acquisition of Roadrunner Music Group today. The acquisitions was first announced back in Dember 2006.

From Warner Music Group Press Release:
http://www.wmg.com/news/article/?id=8a0af81210571b6e01106f1d6da60923

01/29/07

Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE: WMG) today announced the completion of its acquisition of 73.5 percent of Amsterdam-based Roadrunner Music Group B.V., which includes Roadrunner Records, one of the leading hard rock and heavy metal labels.

The Roadrunner acquisition was originally announced on December 18, 2006.  The transaction was subject to regulatory approval in Germany, which has now been obtained.

Warner Music Group essentially has both Megadeth and Metallica under it wings.

Currently there are four Major Record Labels:

  • Universal Music Group
  • Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc.
  • Warner Music Group
  • EMI Group

http://www.wmg.com/
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/