Judge Clears Bon Jovi Album for Release
MUSIC
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A federal judge denied an injunction in a patent lawsuit that could have barred the sale of rock group Bon Jovi’s new CD, “Bounce,” clearing the way for the widely anticipated album’s release Tuesday.
The ruling, made by Judge Charles Haight of U.S. District Court in New York, benefits Bon Jovi’s backers at Vivendi Universal’s Universal Music Group.
The injunction concerned a plan designed to entice consumers to buy the CD versus downloading illegal digital copies. Record companies are battling slumping CD sales that industry watchers link to free digital music on the Net.
Haight ruled that plaintiff DownloadCard Inc. failed to show a likelihood of success if the “Bounce” release was pushed back.
The New York-based technology firm alleged that Universal used its technology on the CD, which offers extra content to registered users.
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