The record company that made Sir Richard Branson the man that he is today may be back on the block soon and the billionaire who parlayed Virgin Records into a global house of brands is saying that he wouldn’t mind putting the business he sold back into his own back pocket.

Universal Music Group is attempting to purchase EMI but it may be forced to ditch Virgin the process by regulators, according to the Guardian (UMG is reportedly ready to offer concessions to get the deal done). Branson, meanwhile, has spoken with French entrepreneur Patrick Zelnik, a former Virgin exec, about buying Virgin together. Branson let it be known that he is ready to join the bid for Virgin Records if it is sold by Universal Music Group as a condition of the major label's £1.2 billion acquisition of EMI Music.

”Richard Branson and Virgin have been assessing how to get back into recorded music business for many years," said a spokesman for Virgin Group, according to the Guardian. "The potential disposal of Virgin Records by Universal Music offers a wonderful opportunity to recreate a dynamic independent label in the market."Continue reading...

AIG's former CEO, Hank Greenberg, sues U.S. government and Federal Reserve Bank for $25 billion over takeover.

Bill Gates testifies in Novell suit vs. Microsoft.

Cadbury's trademarks its distinctive shade of purple.

David Beckham's legacy starts to be assessed as Los Angeles Galaxy ending looms and Paris beckons.

Donald Trump estimates the Trump name's worth at $3 billion.

eBay buys Hunch to help discern individuals' taste. 

GE expands to Iraq.

GM retools former Saturn site and prepares to manufacture China autos in Egypt.

HP reports spending $3.3 billion on WebOS as Meg Whitman sets course for turnaround.Continue reading...

Google Music is now live to the public, with Google+ integration and a library of 8 million songs (soon to be 13 million) via the Android market. Google's cloud-based online music store, which was announced as a beta service in May, will compete for digital downloads with Apple's iTunes and Amazon's growing library of online music. It also challenges Apple's music dominance by serving the 200 million estimated Android phone users just in the U.S.

Google commented in a blog post, "Google Music is about discovering, purchasing, sharing and enjoying digital music in new, innovative and personalized ways." It's launching with music from Universal Music Group, EMI Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Merlin Network — but no deal has been reached (so far) with Warner Music Group, whose catalog represents about 20% of the world's music inventory.Continue reading...

Apple exceeds one million Lion downloads on first day.

Borders liquidation plan approved by judge, while 11th hour Books-A-Million offer may save up to 30 stores, as employees start Google+ group.

California Milk Processor Board pulls controversial PMS campaign.

Etsy founder steps aside for new CEO.

Facebook Comments add videos, photos and website previews.

Fiat buys up US government stake in Chrysler.

Ford and Chevrolet will enhance NYC taxi fleet.Continue reading...

As expected, Spotify — the popular European digital music service — confirmed today that it's coming to America ... sometime "soon."

As the Los Angeles Times notes, "the move was surprising because Spotify does not yet have the necessary licenses to play songs from Warner Music Group's extensive catalog, according to industry sources knowledgeable with the negotiations. It has secured agreements with the other three major record labels — Universal Music Group, EMI Group and Sony Music Entertainment."

Interested? Click here to sign up for the beta.

Apple's iPhone is launching into deep space.

AT&T accused of buying nonprofit support (including GLAAD) for its merger.

Buddy Media preparing for an IPO?

Dell picks China for Streak 10 tablet launch.

Diet Coke launches fashion site with Yahoo UK.

Microsoft appears ready to phase out Zune brand.Continue reading...

Andre Agassi expands commitment to charter schools.

Apple signs deal with Universal Music Group and other publishers for iCloud.

AT&T Wireless CEO "not happy" with US network.

Benetton refreshes visual branding.

Citigroup shuts down $400M hedge fund in wake of new regulations.

Denny's all-you-can-eat pancakes inspires teen marathon.

Disney, looking up at the cloud, relaunches Disney.com to offer TV and film titles.Continue reading...

Nikkei slips as another earthquake hit Japan Sunday, as Tepco head pressured to quit after costing shareholders $26 billion; fear of radiation and shortages drives panic buying of Japanese goods; auto industry suffers as Toyota, Honda and others stand to lose billions in revenue; and Wal-Mart reopens 12 quake-hit stores.

Google to launch in-app billing for Android; woos celebs to create themed channels on YouTube; and works on mobile payments as near field communications battle looms. CEO Larry Page, meanwhile, is working on cutting red tape and fostering internal communications.

BlackBerry-maker RIM is in "slow-motion decline," says WSJ, while acquires mobile tool developer.

Facebook is reportedly in talks to hire former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs; and updates Questions in boost for brands.Continue reading...