San Mateo, Calif. - Makena Technologies, creators of the There.com virtual social world, announced on Thursday a partnership with Capitol Music Group, to bring music artists into a Capitol-themed virtual nightclub. Fans will be able to chat with band members, watch music videos, and purchase both virtual and real band merchandise from artists including MIMS, Korn, the Beastie Boys and Lily Allen.

New York - Major record label EMI has held discussions with online retailers on potentially opening its entire catalog for sale in the unprotected MP3 format, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. Citing "numerous people familiar with the matter," The Journal said EMI asked retailers to submit proposals by Thursday, detailing what kind of advance payments they'd make for the rights to sell EMI songs as MP3s.