New York - The Bono-backed (RED) charity for AIDS in Africa plans to launch a subscription-based digital music service on Monday that will offer exclusive tracks from artists including U2, Coldplay, Jay-Z, Elton John and Death Cab for Cutie, among others. The $5 per month (RED)Wire service will each week deliver one exclusive song from a major artist; one track from a lesser-know artist; a multimedia element; and a feature on how proceeds from the service are helping in Africa.

Los Angeles - Concert promoter and venue owner Live Nation (NYSE: LYV) gave up equity stakes to performers including U2, Jay-Z and Madonna when it signed lucrative "360 deals" with them that includes recording, touring and merchandise, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing a regulatory filing.

London - U2 frontman Bono is allegedly the source of an online leak of four songs from the band's forthcoming album, after a passerby overheard him blasting the music from his villa in the South of France and recorded the tracks, according to a report in The Sun.

Seattle - RealNetworks (NASD: RNWK) has added DRM-free MP3 versions of U2's entire catalog to its Rhapsody music store. The placement marks the first time that the band's music has been available to purchase and download free of digital rights management. In addition to all 19 of the band's records, Rhapsody is also offering extended versions with extra tracks for $20 each.

San Francisco - Social music network imeem has announced that it will offer streaming previews of the forthcoming reissues of Universal Music Group act U2's early albums "Boy," "October" and "War." The deluxe versions of the albums include "a wealth of b-sides, live tracks and rarities."

Los Angeles - Concert promoter and live venue owner Live Nation (NYSE: LYV) announced on Monday that it has signed a 12-year contract to handle touring, merchandising and the website for Irish rock band U2. Unlike Live Nation's estimated $120 million, 10-year deal with Madonna, which covers touring as well as three albums, U2's longstanding relationship with Universal Music for recording and also publishing is not affected by the Live Nation deal.

Columbus, Ga. - Carmike Cinemas, which owns or operates 270 theaters in 37 states, announced on Wednesday that it will screen "U2's Vertigo World Concert Tour" in digital 3D format at 191 of its theaters beginning on Feb. 5. The multi-million dollar film had its premiere this week at the Sundance Film Festival.

Washington - National Geographic Cinema Ventures has announced that it will release the first 3D concert film, "U2 3D," in late January 2008 in various 3D formatted theaters worldwide. Captured by executive producers 3ality Digital on the band's Vertigo Tour stadium shows in South America, the film will be screened in Real D, IMAX 3D and other digital 3D formats.