DOT-COMEDY

DOWN LOW ON THE DOWNLOAD
Next week EMI Music Distribution will offering digital downloads of 100 albums and 200 singles. The music files will be offered via online music retailers. The tracks will be available in Microsoft's MediaPlayer and Liquid Audio formats. Albums include Blondie's "Parallel Lines," Frank Sinatra's "Songs For Swinging Lovers" and the Nielson/Pearson Band's "Blind Luck."

IN SECURITY
America Online, perhaps you've heard of it, announced yesterday not only will it will use RealNetwork's System 8 software in it AOL 6.0, due before year's end, but it will also promote InterTrust's encryption software. InterTrust's system allows record companies to "protect" digital music files so that they can specify how the files can be played. AOL's Winamp music player will also have InterTrust integrated into it, as well as a retinal scanner and a required blood and saliva test.

BIG ROCK SHOWS IN LITTLE DIGITAL WINDOWS
Nothing says Important New Web Site like a Webcast concert. Internet Business's International is launching LA Internetworks, a source of local and national video entertainment Internet programming. The launch kicks off with a concert from Pat Benatar. Pat Benatar! And people say the Internet is over. Not to be outdone, DirecPC and Virgin Jamcast will be Webcasting the Smashing Pumpkins' Los Angeles concert during the weekend of July 21-23. The show was taped May 23, the same day Billy Corgan announced that the band was breaking up. Nothing like the net to bring instantaneous information.

CLASSICAL GAS
And finally, there are 170 days left in 2000—expect 170 more press releases from MP3.com. Today's says that the popularity of classical music is increasing because its subscription-based on-demand Classical channel. The channel costs $9.99 a month. Checks should be made out to the RIAA.