A federal court on Wednesday established a formula for determining the Internet royalties owed to thousands of music composers, writers, and publishers by three major online services - Yahoo Inc., AOL, and RealNetworks Inc. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers hailed the decision, estimating the guidelines could yield as much as $100 million in payments covering a seven-year period ending in 2009.

The trade group, known as ASCAP, had contended that its 320,000 members weren't being properly compensated for musical works that helped drive traffic and increase revenue for Yahoo, Time Warner Inc.'s AOL, and RealNetworks. Wednesday's ruling, issued by a federal judge in New York, doesn't affect the royalties owed to record companies. A representative for the Digital Media Association, a trade group representing the Internet services, declined to comment on the ruling late Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge William Conner's 153-page decision didn't specify the total amount owed to the ASCAP members, but he provided an example on how the formula would apply to the music royalties owed by AOL and Yahoo for 2006. Under the formula endorsed by Conner, AOL owed 2006 fees of $5.95 million and Yahoo owed $6.76 million. That's far more than AOL and Yahoo envisioned. New York-based AOL had proposed paying just $632,879 in 2006 royalties while Sunnyvale-based Yahoo had proposed paying $889,402 in 2006 licensing fees, according to court documents.

Conner's 2006 estimates were slightly less than what ASCAP had sought from the Internet services. The group wanted $7.83 million from AOL and $7.38 million from Yahoo to cover the 2006 royalties, according to court documents.

Yahoo must pay royalties dating back to 2002 while AOL must cover fees going back to 2005. RealNetworks' unpaid bill goes back to 2004. The amount for each year will vary widely, depending on the amount of music streamed over their Internet services and the usage of their sites.

The new formula will also be used to determine the online royalties owed by all three companies 2007 through 2009.

"This historic decision, for the first time, provides a clear framework for how the online use of musical works should be appropriately valued," said John LoFrumento, ASCAP's chief executive.

The Toronto Blues Society will hold its 23rd Anniversary Party in the center of the city at Yonge Dundas Square. A noontime concert on Wednesday, May 21, will feature Brooklyn-born, Swiss-raised, and Toronto-based powerhouse singer, Shakura S’Aida. She plans to blow out the candles for the Toronto Blues Society’s 23rd Anniversary Party during this free concert.

S’Aida recently wowed judges and musicians alike at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis where she won 2nd place. Her classic R&B style, soulful voice, and high energy personality set her apart from all but one of the 159 acts from 36 states, 10 countries, and 6 continents.

The Toronto Blues Society is a non-profit Arts Service Organization and was formed in 1985 to ensure that Blues music, an indigenous North American art form, was guaranteed a continued presence in Toronto. The Toronto Blues Society programs a diverse array of activities that includes the annual Women's Blues Revue, the annual Maple Blues Awards, a bi-annual Blues Summit, workshops, a Blues in the Schools program, concerts, showcases and community outreach events, consultation to musicians and the music industry, and advocacy on behalf of the Blues community.

This event is made possible through support from the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Department of Canadian Heritage. For more information check them out online at www.torontobluessociety.com.

Blind Pig Records has announced the signing of singer Robin Rogers. Music has been a consuming passion of the Charlotte, North Carolina, vocalist ever since her days as a teenage street singer. Possessing a deeply expressive and soulful voice and an infectious enthusiasm for the Blues, Rogers and her band have developed a devoted and growing following.

They were finalists in the Blues Foundation's 2004 International Blues Challenge and the following year won the Foundation's "Best Produced CD" award for Rogers' sophomore release, Crazy Cryin' Blues. Rogers, who also plays a mean Blues harmonica, has opened for the likes of Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, and Robert Cray.

Rogers' Blind Pig debut, entitled Treat Me Right, features perhaps her most powerful composition, "Color-Blind Angel," a moving account of the life and death of white Civil Rights worker Viola Liuzzo, who was assassinated by the KKK in 1965. "Color-Blind Angel" took second place in the Blues category of the 2007 International Songwriters Competition.

"We're very grateful to Blind Pig for giving our music a new home," said Rogers. "Having admired this legendary label for years, it's a dream come true to be included in their roster of creative and talented artists. We're excited about all the promise this partnership holds."

Detroit City Council member and ex-Motown star Martha Reeves says thieves broke into her childhood home and stole about $1 million worth of uninsured recording equipment.

Reeves says speakers, microphones, and karaoke machines were among the items taken Sunday night, May 4. She says the backdoor of the house on Detroit's east side was kicked in.

Reeves says, “Somebody should have called the police while this was happening.”

The 66-year-old singer was part of the Motown group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and had hits in the 1960s with “Heat Wave,” “Dancing in the Street,” “Nowhere to Run,” “I'm Ready for Love,” “Jimmy Mack,” and “Honey Chile.”

She says the house where she grew up is now owned by her father.