Closing arguments presented in MegaUpload extradition case, as Kim Dotcom's lawyers seek rehearing in US on seized assets
Lawyers for the men who led the always controversial file-transfer platform MegaUpload have presented closing arguments as part of their appeal against the previous court ruling that said the former execs should be extradited to the US to face charges of criminal copyright infringement and money laundering.

As much previously reported, the US has been trying to extradite the former MegaUpload chiefs, including founder Kim Dotcom, ever since it shut down the file-transfer business in 2012 on the grounds that the website profited from rampant copyright infringement. After many delays, the extradition hearing got under way last year, with a judge ultimately finding in the US government's favour. But Dotcom et al appealed.

Most of the arguments presented by both sides during the appeal hearing were pretty familiar. On Dotcom's side, legal reps continue to argue that there is not enough evidence to show that their client conspired to commit a crime, and therefore there is not a strong enough case to allow extradition under the rules of the US/New Zealand extradition treaty.

Although the main arguments from both sides have now been presented, according to Channel NewsAsia, there are still some technicalities to be addressed, meaning a ruling is likely to be a few weeks away yet. Meanwhile, it is expected that a further appeal will occur, whichever sides wins this stage.

As also previously reported, the appeal hearing was live streamed on YouTube at the request of the Dotcom side, though it seems that the mainly dull proceedings were something of a turn-off for many of the people who did tune in; appeal hearings generally being less entertaining. According to YouTube, the final afternoon's session had about 100 viewers.

Elsewhere in MegaUpload news, another appeal of sorts. Legal reps for Dotcom have petitioned the Fourth Circuit Court Of Appeals in the US in a bid to try to secure a rehearing in relation to their client's bid to regain assets seized by the US government during the aforementioned MegaUpload shutdown in 2012.

As previously reported, last month the Fourth Circuit backed a lower court ruling saying that Dotcom should not be reconnected to those assets, mainly because they consider the former MegaUpload chief a fugitive. The lawyers argue that there should be a rehearing on the basis that the three judge Fourth Circuit ruling was not unanimous, the ruling arguably conflicts with past precedents, and because of the wider significance of the case.

It remains to be seen if a rehearing is indeed granted, though other appeal routes are still open to Dotcom, who has previously pledged to take the case all the way to the US Supreme Court if necessary.

Decision not to prosecute Cliff Richard was correct, rules CPS
The Crown Prosecution Service has upheld its decision not to prosecute Cliff Richard over allegations of sexual abuse. The initial outcome of the investigation into claims made against the singer - that there was insufficient evidence to proceed - was challenged by two of his accusers.

In a statement yesterday, the CPS said: "On 16 Jun, the CPS announced that no criminal charges were to be brought as a result of Operation Kaddie. The CPS subsequently received applications to review two of the charging decisions under the Victims' Right To Review scheme. In accordance with the scheme, a CPS lawyer who was not involved in the original decision-making process has completed a full review of the evidence and has concluded that the decisions not to charge were correct".

As previously reported, Richard's Berkshire home was searched by police in 2014 in relation to accusations that he had sexually assaulted a boy under the age of sixteen at a Christian faith rally in the 1980s. Subsequently, three other men came forward, accusing the singer of offences dating back to 1958. He was questioned by police a number of times, but never arrested or charged.

In June this year, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that there was "insufficient evidence" to proceed further with a prosecution. However, in August this decision was challenged by one of his accusers, who was later joined by a second.

Next month, the singer plans to lobby Parliament in bid to get a change in the law whereby those accused of sexual abuse are not publicly named until after they are charged.

Richard will attend Parliament on 17 Oct to urge MPs and Lords to back proposals put forward by former police chief and now Liberal Democrat peer Brian Paddick, who is proposing that the identity of anyone accused of a sexual offence should remain confidential until the accused person is actually charged, except where a judge feels it is in the public interest for that person's name to be published.

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Judge dismisses lawsuit over Roc-A-Fella logo
A US judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Jay-Z and his former business partners over the origins of the logo for the hip hop mogul's original label venture Roc-A-Fella.

According to Reuters, a clothing designer called Dwayne Walker sued Jay-Z and his Roc-A-Fella co-founder Damon Dash, plus the label's parent company Universal Music, in 2012. He claimed that he created the artwork that formed the basis of the Roc-A-Fella logo, and that he signed a contract with Dash back in the 1990s that entitled him to royalties for the record company's use of the artwork.

The defendants denied Walker's claims, arguing that the label's logo had, in fact, been designed by the company's then in-house art director. While two other people claimed to have seen the lost contract signed by Dash in relation to the artwork, judge Andrew Carter said those testimonies were weak, leaving "only plaintiff's own self-serving testimony that he drafted the contract, that he and Dash signed it, and that he lost track of it in 1998".

Walker's legal reps still reckon that their client has a case strong enough to go to a full court hearing, and therefore they plan to appeal Carter's decision. Said lawyer Gregory Berry to Reuters: "Walker made the logo in 1995. Then in 2013, in response to this suit - never before - the defendants find a guy who is willing to claim now that HE made the logo ... Sound like a factual question for trial? We agree".

Spotify launches 'near endless' Daily Mix playlists
Spotify has launched another personalised algorithmic playlist, this one focussing less on discovery and more on the music users already know and love. Daily Mix will aim to fill your day with music you dig, plus a smattering of new stuff that the service reckons you might be into as well. How nice of it.

In theory, you should now be able to press play and never have to actually think about what you want to listen to ever again. So sort of like radio, but without the talking. And sort of like the more radio-esque functionality that Spotify boss Daniel Ek promised a year and a half ago which was never really launched. But without the talking.

"As your music taste evolves, so will your Daily Mix", says Spotify. "In fact, the more you listen, the better your mixes will become - offering an effortless music experience based entirely on your personal listening habits. Don't like that new discovery? Simply 'ban' a tune to remove it from future playlists. If you love it, be sure to 'heart' the hit to add it to your collection".

Yeah, that's the other thing. Spotify has added some functions more commonly found on personalised radio services to its playlists. Well, these Daily playlists, at least. Hopefully they'll add it to Discover Weekly too, so I stop getting served up all of the world's most boring music every week.

Anyway, Daily Mix is rolling out on iOS and Android now, so chances are you can check it out today. New users will have to wait two weeks. Bad luck, suckers.

MOBO Season launches with Kwame Kwei-Armah talk
A MOBO Season was launched yesterday, with a wide range of events to be held between now and the end of the year, including this year's MOBO Awards in November.

Among the events is a series of 'MOBOvation' talks, the first of which was delivered at yesterday's launch by playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah. Next to speak will be London's Deputy Mayor Rajesh Agrawal.

Speaking ahead of his talk yesterday, Kwei-Armah said: "Art does not exist in its fullest self without investing in new talent; diverse talent. So it's a huge honour to launch the MOBO Season this year because the platform that MOBO has provided in its 21 year history across British music and culture and creative industries is not only unique, but has been a game changer".

As well as this, MOBO Season will partner with the London Film Festival on a selection of films celebrating diversity, including new Spike Lee film 'Chi-Raq'. Another partnership is with NHS Blood And Transplant, launching a campaign to increase blood donations amongst young black and south Asian people.

"Only 1% of people who donated blood in the last year were from black communities and yet donors from these communities are more likely to have rare blood types and have conditions such as Sickle Cell Disease, which require regular blood transfusions", says NHS Blood And Transport chief exec Ian Trenholm.

He continues: "For people with these conditions, blood from donors of the same ethnic background can provide the best chance of a match and clinical outcome. By developing this new campaign with MOBO, an organisation which has done so much to bring black music and culture into the mainstream, we hope we can do the same for blood donation, engaging and inspiring a whole new generation of blood donors to become lifelong lifesavers".

On the launch of the whole MOBO Season, MOBO founder Kanya King says: "Twenty years in, the MOBO organisation has always had a social and cultural responsibility to motivate, elevate and celebrate creative talent and inspire future generations. MOBO, champion of diversity and inclusion, are recognising talent within music, culture, arts, fashion, media and larger society as a whole. Something that is much bigger than music alone - that is what the MOBO Season is about".

For a full guide to what's on during MOBO Season, click here.

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Everything Everything to keynote at Off The Record
Everything Everything will provide the keynote session at the first Off The Record conference for emerging artists in Manchester in November. The band's Jonathan Higgs and Jeremy Pritchard will be in conversation with DJ and writer Dave Haslam.

Of course, the really big draw at the event will be the session put on by CMU:DIY, offering a beginner's guide to the music industry for DIY artists, right? Well, it will definitely be one of the draws. CMU Business Editor Chris Cooke will outline the different ways musicians can make money from recordings, merchandise, gigs and brand partnerships.

Other sessions include: photographers Brian Cannon (Oasis' 'Definitely Maybe') and David Drake (The 1975's 'I Like It When You Sleep') in conversation with John Robb and a panel on getting your foot in the door, led by former Happy Mondays manager Phil Saxe.

And, of course, the conference accompanies the OTR festival, with performances by 30 emerging artists nominated by industry names such as Guy Garvey, Huw Stephens, John Kennedy, Tim Burgess, Lara Baker and Elizabeth Alker.

For more information and to buy tickets, click here.

Pixie Geldof releases new track, announces club night with Joe Fox
Pixie Geldof has released new single 'Sweet Thing', the opening track from her debut album 'I'm Yours', which is due out on 4 Nov on Stranger Records.

"'Sweet Thing' is one of the older songs on the record", says Geldof. "It's actually the first song I wrote after I signed with Stranger. I wanted something that channelled the country music I grew up listening to, something with a real stomp, and be a song you can wake up to. As soon as I heard it in the studio, with those drums, I knew it would be the opening track of the album".

The musician has also announced that she's launching a new night in London called Forecast with A$AP Rocky collaborator Joe Fox. Both will perform live at the inaugural edition at The Scotch in Mayfair on 5 Oct. Entry is guestlist-only, don't you know. Email rsvp@whatstheforecast.co.uk to get your name pencilled onto that bit of paper.

Now, listen to 'Sweet Thing' here.

Children In Need Rocks to pay tribute to Terry Wogan
Following yesterday's Westminster Abbey memorial service for Terry Wogan, it has been announced that this year's Children In Need Rocks concert will also be held in tribute to the broadcaster, who died earlier this year.

Taking place at the Royal Albert Hall on 1 Nov, the show will be headlined by Take That, who made one of their first TV appearances on Wogan's 'Wogan' chat show in 1991. Also on the bill are Ellie Goulding, Olly Murs, Gregory Porter, Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Rick Astley, Alexander Armstrong, The Vamps and Ward Thomas.

The night will be hosted by Fearne Cotton and Greg James.

Says Cotton: "It has been an honour working with Sir Terry across the years on Children In Need and it's a privilege to be hosting Rocks in celebration of his life. It's going to be a very special evening with some great artists performing some of his favourite tracks".

James adds: "It's a privilege to host Rocks alongside Fearne. Sir Terry was, in my eyes, the ultimate broadcaster. A friend to millions on his radio show and a hero to millions more through his work with Children In Need. It's an absolute honour to be asked to be part of the concert. It's going to be a brilliant night".

As well as the musical performances, there will be a variety of Wogan-related moments pulled out of the BBC archive. Tickets are available here. The show will also be broadcast on BBC One and BBC Radio 2.

Fat Cat, Sons Of The East, Giggs, more

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• Cooking Vinyl has taken equity in Fat Cat Records, launching a strategic partnership to extend the smaller indie's international reach. "They really care about helping shape Fat Cat into a successful business while keeping our identity and creative ethos intact", says Fat Cat co-founder Dave Cawley.

• Universal Music Publishing Australia has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sons Of The East. "Bloody marvellous!" says Arwen Curson, VP Creative of UMP Australia. Here's the group's new single 'Lost Cause'.

• UK-wide bar and club operator The Deltic Group (formerly known as The Luminar Group) has hired Charlotte Purdy as its new Head Of Entertainment. Purdy has previously held positions at Ministry Of Sound and Coalition Talent. "I was attracted to Deltic", she says. Unsurprisingly.

• YouTube has launched a new app aimed at emerging markets - India in particular - with limited internet connectivity, allowing offline viewing , bandwidth options and the ability to share content over bluetooth. It will be particularly useful for people trying to use YouTube as a music player. Which will go down well with all the many YouTube-lovers at the top of the global music industry.

• Giggs has released a new video for 'Lock Doh', from his new album 'Landlord'.

• Katie Melua has released the video for new single 'Dreams On Fire'. Her new album, 'In Winter', is out on 14 Oct.

• The Dillinger Escape Plan have released another track from their upcoming 'Dissociation' album. This is 'Symptom Of Terminal Illness'.

• Wovoka Gentle have released another new track, 'All Exterior Dark'. It's very good.

• Oozing Wound have released the video for new single 'Diver'. Their new album 'Whatever Forever' is out on 14 Oct and they'll be touring the UK in December.

• Jata has released his second single, 'Ebony', which you can check out here.

• Angel Olsen has announced a new London date at The Roundhouse for 24 May next year, her show at Koko next month having already sold out.

Katy Perry gets naked to vote so that you don't have to
Katy Perry has made a video with Funny Or Die for Rock The Vote, urging people not to avoid voting in the upcoming presidential election because they aren't dressed smartly enough. You can dress how you like, even fashioning your hair into an elaborate comb-over, if you like. But not naked, as Perry also demonstrates in the video.

Says Funny Or Die: "Katy Perry gives us the bare truth about this year's election, urging everyone to get registered and to vote. Katy came to Funny Or Die and Rock the Vote demanding to be naked on camera, so they decided to channel this to urge young voters to get registered - no matter what they're wearing (or not wearing). Funny Or Die's wardrobe department was THRILLED with the day off, and America was THRILLED with the results".

I'm not sure why the possibility of Donald Trump becoming president isn't in itself enough to get everyone to register to vote. Though, I must admit, after watching the first presidential debate, some part of me is curious to see what would happen if he did win. Also, it would seem like the perfect conclusion to the shit pit of 2016. But yeah, don't actually vote Trump. And don't try to not vote for him naked. Those are the lessons of the day.

Watch the video here.