The RIAA long used a company called MediaSentry to troll the Internet in search of people who uploaded large amounts of music. The information that MediaSentry collected became an integral part of the RIAA’s aggressive litigation campaign. Since 2003, the RIAA — a trade organization representing Vivendi SA’s Universal Music Group, Sony Corp.’s Sony BMG Music Entertainment, EMI Group Ltd. and Warner Music Group Corp. — has sued around 35,000 people for what it says are illegal music uploads.

Now the RIAA will be rid of a company that became a frequent target of civil-rights advocates and others who complained that the RIAA’s legal tactics were excessive. MediaSentry is a unit of closely held, Belcamp, Md.-based SafeNet Inc.

Ray Beckerman, a New York lawyer who maintains the Recording Industry vs. the People blog and who has represented more than a dozen clients fighting the RIAA, said he considered the decision to drop MediaSentry a “victory” for his clients. MediaSentry representatives “have been invading the privacy of people. They’ve been doing very sloppy work,” he said.

Mr. Beckerman cites MediaSentry’s practice of looking for available songs in people’s file-sharing folders, downloading them, and using those downloads in court as evidence of copyright violations. He says MediaSentry couldn’t prove defendants had shared their files with anyone other than MediaSentry investigators.

MediaSentry says its work is high quality. The RIAA also stands by MediaSentry’s techniques, citing University of Washington research released last year that concluded the company’s methodology incorporates “best practices.”

The RIAA decided quietly to drop MediaSentry several months ago. It didn’t disclose why. John Desmond, vice president at MediaSentry, said that the company had already begun to wind down its evidence-collecting business. Instead, it is focusing on other areas, such as measuring the popularity of various online entertainment sites.

The RIAA announced last month that it planned to curtail its practice of filing mass lawsuits for copyright infringement. However, it still plans to closely monitor people it believes are illegally uploading copyrighted music, and continue with the legal action it already has in progress. It says it will still file lawsuits for exceptional cases.

In place of MediaSentry, the RIAA says it will use Copenhagen-based DtecNet Software ApS. The music industry had worked with DtecNet previously both in the U.S. and overseas, and liked its technology, said RIAA spokesman Jonathan Lamy.

The musician is performing at a fundraiser for the former presidential candidate as she tries to close out her campaign debt, which stood at $6.3 million as of last month.

The Jan. 15 performance at Manhattan’s Town Hall is being billed as “a final evening in support of Hillary Clinton for President Debt Relief.” Ticket prices range from $75 to $1,000.

The former first lady and New York senator has been working to pay down her debt to clear the way for confirmation as President-elect Barack Obama’s secretary of state. Federal ethics rules prohibit Cabinet officials from actively soliciting campaign contributions.

Clinton wrote off $13.1 million in personal loans to the campaign.

Matt Smith, 11th Doctor Who

Smith who will become the eleventh, and youngest, incarnation of the Time Lord was unveiled during a special episode of Doctor Who Confidential on BBC One.

Steven Moffat, the producer of the forthcoming fifth series of the sci-fi hit said Smith was perfect casting because he was someone who was old and young at the same time.

The announcement, which was heavily trailed by the BBC in the run up to the broadcast, ends months of speculation sparked by Tennant’s announcement in October that he will step down as the Doctor.

Of his casting, Smith said: “I’m flabbergasted. I haven’t slept really! [Doctor Who] is an iconic part of our culture, and now I’m taking that on. It’s nerve wracking. Exciting. Exciting.

“It’s an iconic part of our culture, my grandad knows about it, my dad knows about it, it’s been going since 1963 it has the iconic status of Robin Hood or Sherlock Holmes.”

Tennant, who took over from Christopher Eccleston in 2005, will now complete four hour long specials.

In the final episode he will undergo the famous regeneration scene that will see Tennant transform into Smith.

Some of the country’s most famous actors including David Morrissey, who played a character called the Doctor in last year’s Christmas Day Special The Next Doctor, Chiwitel Ejiofor, Patterson Joseph, James Nesbitt, Sean Pertwee, whose father Jon played the role in the 1970s, James McAvoy and John Simm who played the Master in the series, had all been tipped to play the role.

There was even speculation that the part could go to a woman and names including Catherine Zeta Jones, the Oscar winning star of Chicago, Jennifer Saunders, Meera Syal and Billie Piper, who starred as the Doctor’s former assistant Rose Tyler were all in the frame.

The new Doctor follows in the footsteps of William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant.

Doctor Who, which was famously scrapped by the BBC in the 1980s, is now one of the Corporation’s most important programmes following its return to screens in 2005.

All four series have been huge ratings winners for the BBC and the four Christmas specials have been among the most successful programmes of recent years.

The most recent offering, The Next Doctor, was the third most watched programme on Christmas Day.

The success of the series has been largely down to the dramatist Russell T Davies, who has been the show’s leader writer and producer.

He recently revealed that leading figures within the BBC were so sceptical that the revamped show would be a success that they even considered casting Paul Daniels in the lead role.

Last year he suggested that Russell Tovey the Gavin and Stacey star who had appeared in the 2007 Christmas Day edition of the programme should take over from Tennant.

The quality of Davies’ writing has encouraged some of the biggest names in British entertainment to take part in the show including Kylie Minogue, Felicity Kendall, Sir Derek Jacobi, Maureen Lipman and Penelope Wilton.

Davies has announced he is stepping down from the franchise after completing the four specials.

His fellow writer and producer Steven Moffat will now assume overall responsibility for the programme.

Steven Moffat, who takes over from Russell T Davies as executive producer following the specials, said: “The Doctor is a very special part, and it takes a very special actor to play him. You need to be old and young at the same time, a boffin and an action hero, a cheeky schoolboy and the wise old man of the universe.

“As soon as Matt walked through the door, and blew us away with a bold and brand new take on the Time Lord, we knew we had our man.

“2010 is a long time away but rest assured the 11th Doctor is coming – and the universe has never been so safe.

The two, who reportedly rekindled their cozy ways after AM’s tragic plane crash, are once again kaput, according to celeb tab Life & Style.

But was there even enough going on for a breakup to happen?

A source tells me the reunion was never as hot and heavy as the first go-round.

“They were never exclusive,” the source says. “AM and Mandy were always just having fun and hanging out.”

The music man—real name Adam Goldstein—is now reportedly dating 22-year-old American Apparel model Hayley Wood, who lists her status on her MySpacepage as “in a relationship.”

Will she surface tonight at the New Year’s Nation party in Los Angeles, where DJ AM and Travis Barker will perform together for the first time since surviving the September crash?

As for Moore, she’s been busy putting together her next album. Now word yet on a release date.

2U will substitute for U2, Queen Nation will copycat Freddie Mercury, Aeromyth will channel Aerosmith, the Long Run will welcome you to the Hotel California and much, much more. Unfortunately, despite the presence of not one but two KISS cover bands, neither act is the Rock Daily faves Mini-KISS.

The whole fake fest party will go down at Vegas’ infamously tented Fremont Street, where two stages will be erected to give fans 14 hours of cover-song goodness. Now, if this bonanza of unoriginality sounds like the lamest way to spend your New Year’s Eve… well, you’re probably right.

Thankfully, Rock Daily is your guide to having a much better December 31st than witnessing Satisfaction, a Rolling Stones Tribute. Behold, our New Year’s Eve guide, featuring the best concerts going down tonight across the country: New Year’s Eve Rock Guide: The Night’s Biggest Shows, From My Morning Jacket to Wu-Tang Clan

Patrick Stump

Collaborations: Gym Class Heroes; Tyga; Pete Wentz protégées the Cab. And Stump’s stamp was all over hip-hop — he teamed up with Ne-Yo (”Finish Your Food”), the Roots (”Birthday Girl”) and T.I. (”Out in the Cold”) — but none of the tracks made the final versions of their respective albums.

Signature Sound: Emo meets blue-eyed soul

Hottest Track: “One of Those Nights.” On this strutting Cab cut, Stump plays a man begging a girl for a second chance (”I’m a mess… just give me time”). His wince is so desperate that it might just do the trick.

This Is Why He’s Hot: He’s a slave-driver. “For as little as he is, dude’s pretty fucking militant,” says GCH frontman Travis McCoy. “He’ll be like, ‘Travis, hit this note!’ and I’ll be like, ‘Just tune that shit!’ and he’ll say, ‘Just fuckin’ be a man and hit that shit!’ I got four feet on the dude, and he’s putting me in check.”

Photo:Coppola/Wireimage

T-Pain

Collaborations: Lil Wayne; Kanye West; Mary J. Blige; Chris Brown; Ludacris; Akon; Mariah Carey; Flo Rida; Ciara; Rick Ross; Kardinal Offishall; Lil Mama; DJ Khaled; 2 Pistols; Ace Hood; Jamie Foxx; Tim McGraw (reportedly)

Signature Sound: Auto-Tune, obvs

Hottest Track: “Got Money.” While Lil Wayne brags about his “Winn Dixie grocery bags full of money” being delivered to the club, T-Pain sings his way into VIP section.

This Is Why He’s Hot: Despite his shiny grill, his Dr. Seuss-biting style and his strip-club obsession, Pain is a pretty regular dude. “I call me and T-Pain ‘the Dynamic Underdogs,’ ” Chris Brown has said. “We know how to grind as new artists, so we know how to stay focused. He’s one of my closest friends — he’s down-to-earth.”

Photo: Caulfield/Getty

Elvis Costello
Collaborations: Jenny Lewis; Lucinda Williams; Fall Out Boy; Charlie Haden. Costello also has his own Sundance TV series, “Spectacle,” on which he jams with Lou Reed, the Police, Elton John, Smokey Robinson — even Bill Clinton.

Signature Sound: A pinched, urgent croon — punk, mellowed by age

Hottest Track: “Jailhouse Tears.” Lucinda Williams hurls below-the-belt insults (”You’re a drunk and a stoner”) at her no-good lover over dusty guitar licks.

This Is Why He’s Hot: He’s the consummate pro. “He rolled into the studio and hit the notes right away,” recalls Jenny Lewis. ” ‘Carpetbaggers’ was written as a country duet — meant to be sung in a low, Johnny Cash delivery — but Elvis said, ‘No, I want to do it like this,’ and he changed the intention of the song, made it less country and more urgent-sounding, which I think it needed.”

Photo: Lovekin/Getty

While the Zune is a distant also-ran in the MP3 market, which is dominated by Apple’s, the Microsoft-made device has gained critical approbation with its most recent, version 3.0 models, whose features are quite competitive with the iPod line. Many users appreciate the player’s built-in FM radio and “Zune Social” features, which facilitate the communal sharing and discovery of new music.

Speculation is of course centered around the timing. It is New Year’s Eve, after all, and the conspiracy nuts are calling this Z2K (with or without a +9 at the end). Wired.com NYC Bureau Chief John C Abell prefers the idea that it is “Brilliant Microsoft DRM Technology”, which would be the most hilarious explanation, if unlikely.

The reports say that the units are simply freezing and won’t respond to anything. Grunfloz at the Zune.net forums sums up the issue:

From what I can tell it looks like every Zune 30 on the planet has suddenly crashed. Is this a virus? A glitch? A time bomb? A disgruntled Microsoft employee? Planned obsolescence to make us buy a new one?  Or just a terrorist plot to drive the free world crazy?

Update: Microsoft has acknowledged the problem on its Zune support website, but has not yet posted a fix. “Customers with 30GB Zune devices may experience issues when booting their Zune hardware,” said the company. “We’re aware of the problem and are working to correct it. The Zune Social might be slow or inaccessible.”

Meanwhile, Zune users speculated about the reasons for the devices locking up and suggested possible fixes.

Some users report that they have fixed the problem by disconnecting the battery (which requires opening the case) or waiting for it to run out of power and then recharging it. (Thanks to several commenters below, including James, for the tip!)

Others have speculated that Zune’s failure could have been a fallout of the leap year. With 2008 having 366 days, Zune’s firmware may have run into trouble when its internal clock went over 365 days for the current year, speculated some users.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Naval Observatory, which keeps a master clock, has added a  ‘leap second’ to today–the last day of the year. The idea is ensure atomic clocks stay in sync with the Earth’s slowly diminishing rate of rotation, said scientists. The bonus second raises another possibility: Will other gadgets go on the fritz tonight because they’re not programmed to deal with the leap second?

Help-frozen zune!!!!

Clark, who turned 79 last month and has been in front of the cameras for 61 years, said in a recent interview by e-mail that his involvement in “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2009,” diminished though it may be, is a labor of love and “not really a job.”

“Obviously, I’m not able to be as actively involved as I used to be out on the street, up on a platform and interacting with the crowds in Times Square” in New York, Clark wrote. “Thank goodness my friend Ryan Seacrest is able to handle that end of the activity on the show these days.

ABC-TV’s 3 1/2-hour live extravaganza will include performances by Natasha Bedingfield, Fall Out Boy Jesse McCartney Ne-Yo Pussycat Dolls Solange and Robin Thicke Fergie hosts the Hollywood segments.

Clark woke up with right-side paralysis on Dec. 6, 2004 — “Your life changes overnight,” he said. Regis Philbin filled in for Clark on the New Year’s Eve show that year.) Clark still uses a walker or wheelchair, and speaking is difficult.

“I am one of the fortunate ones who survived and have been minimally impaired, so I’m just thankful I’m still able to enjoy this once-a-year treat of bringing in the New Year.”

The ” American Bandstand ” icon and longtime producer of the American Music Awards Academy of Country Music Awards and Golden Globes has long considered them “my television kids.”

He’s also watched their ratings plummet in recent years.

“There was a time when they attracted a huge audience,” Clark wrote. “The audiences have dropped off as the years have gone by because of increasing television competition.

“What we are seeing is more and more talent and less emphasis on people getting awards. Television’s award shows have now become gigantic showcases for variety.”

Clark was there at the birth of rock ‘n’ roll (”American Bandstand” kicked off July 9, 1956), and he’s watched dramatic changes in the music industry. Not that those changes would come as much of a surprise.

“I can remember writing an article several years ago where I let my imagination run wild,” Clark wrote. “I said we’d see the day when music is delivered directly to our homes, and delivered to us in some form of wireless communication.

“The fun of actually holding a record in our hands will disappear and we’ll all have our own individual library of our favorite songs that we’ll listen to at home, at work, in the car wherever we happen to go.”

These days, Clark divides his time between his Malibu home and Burbank office. There’s an hourlong therapy session each morning, then he answers mail and phone calls, attends meetings and reads.

The day ends with his devoted wife Kari.

“My wife and I may join friends for dinner at a restaurant, attend a movie or just grab a bite to eat by ourselves away from home,” Clark wrote. “Occasionally, we’ll attend a music concert. Recently we’ve seen Barry Manilow Bette Midler Frankie Valli and Cher”

The bills coming due include almost $200 million in February, $350 million in May and another $400 million in December. The Motley Fool’s Rick Aristotle Munarriz predicts that, “Between its present liquidity and its authorization to have as many as 8 billion shares outstanding, Sirius XM has enough ammo to get through February. Now it needs to clear the May and December hurdles.”

According to an article in The New York Times, “Satellite Radio Still Reaches for the Payday,” Sirius XM is “one of the very few media companies whose revenue and number of subscribers are growing these days;” third quarter revenue grew 16% and the number of subscribers rose 17%. Yet Sirius XM is basically a penny stock on Wall Street because of its massive debt, a credit-averse economy that dashes any hope of refinancing, and woeful auto sales, which has been its main meal ticket to subscriber growth.

This same article takes a major shot a Howard Stern’s relevancy as a media king on Sirius, versus his previous terrestrial audience of 12 million, who would react at the drop of the hat to his comments, most notably his remarks last week about him leaving Sirius.

A growing number of analysts and experts now doubt that Sirius XM CEO Mel Karmazin, who has enjoyed considerable success in traditional media, will be able to turn things around. “”He’s an amazing guy,” Wachovia Capital Markets analyst Bishop Cheen told The Times. “It’s never paid to short Mel. But this is his toughest challenge. It’s something that seems even beyond his legend.”

“I’m not trying to paint the rosy picture because we have challenges connected to our liquidity and certainly our stock price is dreadful,” Karmazin told the paper, “But, you know, our revenues are growing double digits. We’re growing subscribers. We’re not losing subscribers.”

The bottom line, which he admitted at a recent shareholder meeting: “There’s no question, this company needs to make money … This company has a lot going for it, but it has never made a dime.”

Adam Goldstein, known as DJ AM, filed his complaint for negligence and breach of contract Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. Goldstein and punk rocker Travis Barker, who has also sued the companies, were the sole survivors of the Sept. 19 crash.

Barker sued on behalf of the family of his bodyguard, Charles Still, and the widow of Barker’s assistant, Chris Baker, filed her own lawsuit earlier this month.

Goldstein and Barker were seriously burned escaping the plane. The pair plan to perform together again for the first time since the crash at an event in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve. They perform under the name TRVSDJAM.

Goldstein’s lawsuit seeks a jury trial, but doesn’t specify how much money he hopes to receive for loss of earnings, medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.

He is also suing the estates of the plane’s pilots, Sarah Lemmon, and James Bland. A phone number for Lemmon’s mother couldn’t be located, and Bland’s wife declined to comment Wednesday.

The lawsuit claims the plane’s owners and operators acted in a careless and negligent manner and that Goldstein has been seriously harmed — physically and financially — by the crash.

Federal investigators have not yet determined the cause of the crash.

Aviation authorities have said cockpit recordings indicated the jet’s crew thought a tire had blown during takeoff. National Transportation Safety Board officials have said pieces of tire were recovered about 2,800 feet from where the plane started its takeoff down the 8,600-foot runway in Columbia, S.C.

The lawsuit names Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., which in response to Barker’s lawsuit said that it was too soon to speculate on what role tires may have played in the crash. Also named were Bombardier Inc., which manufactures Learjet planes and doesn’t comment on pending lawsuits.

Clay Lacy Aviation, Global Exec Aviation and Inter Travel and Services Inc. are also named as defendants. A Clay Lacy representative said in response to Barker’s suit that the company didn’t operate the plane that crashed, but merely brokered the flight.

A receptionist for Global Exec Aviation said no one would be available to comment because of the Christmas holiday, and a phone number for Inter Travel and Services couldn’t be located Wednesday morning.