Tokyo - Disney (NYSE: DIS) has partnered with Softbank to launch a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) service in Japan, featuring handsets manufactured by Sharp that feature Mickey Mouse and buttons that lead directly to Disney content, AFP reports. The launch of a Disney-branded MVNO service in Japan follows several unsuccessful similar efforts in the U.S., with the failed Disney Mobile and ESPN Mobile services.

London - European music download store 7digital.com on Monday announced a deal with Warner Music Group's (NYSE: WMG) Warner Music International, to sell downloads in MP3 format to its customers in the U.K., Ireland, Spain, France and Germany. The company, which claims 1.2 million registered customers, said the deal makes it the first European download store to offer Warner tracks as MP3s; over 80% of the store's 3.5 million-track catalog is DRM-free.

Sunnyvale, Calif. - Social.FM, a social music service for mobile and Web users that allows sharing of streaming music playlists, on Monday announced a partnership with mobile media distributor Handmark. Under the deal, Handmark will market and deliver Social.FM through its channels in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Chicago - Pitchfork Media, the online publication devoted to indie music, said on Monday that video game publisher Take-Two Interactive's (NASD: TTWO) 2K Sports asked them to select half of the music featured in its "Major League Baseball 2K8" game. Pitchfork's picks included tracks from Battles, Blitzen Trapper, Jay Reatard, the Cool Kids and Dinosaur Jr. The game is slated for release for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 & 2, PSP and Wii on March 4.

Los Angeles - Nine Inch Nails has launched a Radiohead-type release for its first offering since the band's major label contract with Interscope expired last October, including a mix of free and paid downloads, regular CDs and various limited edition versions. "I've been considering and wanting to make this kind of record for years, but by its very nature it wouldn't have made sense until this point," Reznor writes on his website. "I'm very pleased with the result and the ability to present it directly to you without interference."

Durham, N.C. - Independent record label Merge Records on Monday announced the launch of its own digital store, which will offer tracks from its artists in MP3 and FLAC formats. The label, whose artists include Arcade Fire, the Magnetic Fields and Spoon, said the store will stock rare, out-of-print and exclusive new material, soon to be bundled with full album art and liner notes. The first such offering will be an out-of-print Superchunk album of acoustic in-store performances.

Redwood City, Calif. - Turn, a provider of online targeted advertising services, has raised $15 million in its second round of venture capital financing, PaidContent reported, citing a company spokeswoman.

Denver - ManiaTV Network, an Internet-based television network, has raised $5.5 million in its third round of funding, led by DAG Ventures, PEHub.com reported, citing a regulatory filing.

Sunnyvale, Calif. - Tzero Technologies, a developer of technology used in the wireless distribution of high definition video, said on Monday that it has raised $18 million in its third round of funding, led by the CID Group.

New York - NBC Universal (NYSE: GE) announced on Monday that it will launch a virtual women's network, featuring content from Bravo, Oxygen, iVillage and other NBC Universal assets, which it says "will enable advertisers to efficiently reach a prime, female demographic across multiple platforms with quality programming."

Los Angeles - Hollywood talent agency William Morris Agency (WMA) announced on Monday that it has partnered with venture capital firms Accel Partners and Venrock, and telco giant AT&T (NYSE: T) to establish a new investment fund to seed start-ups in Southern California and elsewhere. The joint fund will be managed by Richard Wolpert, a former president of Disney Online and chief strategy officer at RealNetworks.

New York - Juniper Content, a media and entertainment company focused on branded content services -- whose holdings including the Sorpresa Hispanic children's TV network and digital community -- announced on Monday that it has raised $2.14 million in a private placement of its shares.

San Francisco - YieldBuild, a provider of online advertising services, announced on Monday that it has raised a $6 million second round of financing, led by Storm Ventures.

Burlington, Mass. - Mzinga, a provider of collaboration and customer relationship management software for businesses, has raised $32.5 million in venture capital, led by W Capital Partners.