Recording Industry Association of America ends five-year campaign of infringement lawsuits against individuals who download songs illegally… Two former AMOA presidents spearhead efforts to raise $20,000 to support former AMOA board director Bob Young… Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal expands… Photo-Me brings Dance Heads to ATEI 2009… and more…

PUNTA GORDA, FL — A recent article in Newsweek magazine predicted the death of the American shopping mall. The story points out a sluggish economy, bad business models and a decline in key population groups. The story even pointed to the website deadmalls.com. But Larry Freshman of Kworterz Vending Inc says journalists are premature in writing the obituary for America’s shopping centers…

Online grocer begins placing vending machines in Manhattan offices… Companies announce initiatives and technology to improve recycling efforts… National Coffee Service & Vending plans Canadian division for 2009… Chairman-elect Randy Parks resigns from his position on the NAMA board of directors

ST. LOUIS — Overviews of technical developments have highlighted educational programming at National Automatic Merchandising Association Expos in recent years. At the 2008 National Expo, the spotlight was turned on the management software that receives, organizes, stores and processes information from a variety of sources, providing operators with timely, accurate and useful reports.

ALBANY, NY — NAMA and the American Beverage Association have pledged to lobby against New York Gov. David Paterson’s proposed “obesity tax” on sugary drinks and extension of the state’s 5¢-per-container bottle bill tax to include noncarbonated beverages. Unveiled last week, Paterson’s budget proposal aims to close a $12.5 billion deficit for next year and is supported by New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden. It imposes an additional 18% “obesity” tax on nondiet sodas and fruit drinks containing less than 70% natural fruit juice…

— The Pennsylvania Task Force on Violent Interactive Video Games warns the General Assembly to avoid restrictive legislations similar to those that have been invalidated by the Federal courts… Home videogame sales continue to boom despite the economic recession, with retailers moving $2.9 billion worth of hardware, games and accessories in November… The National Dart Association completes its move into new headquarters..

CHARLOTTE, NC — In an open letter to the amusement and arcade industry, Brady Distributing vice-president Jon W. Brady noted that an upturn in orders during December has called attention to a little-publicized change in tax law passed early this year. Part of this year’s Economic Stimulus Act, the overlooked law can be used effectively by operators before the end of the year…

What a remarkable year it has been! Now that the election is over, everyone must agree that Sen. Barack Obama ran a brilliant campaign, whether they like him or not. His winning strategy proved the value of smart marketing and demonstrated that boldness is one of the most important qualities for anyone trying to build brand awareness during uncertain times…by Alicia Lavay-Kertes

The current economy reminds me of the story about a guy who moves to upstate Alaska…in July. Everybody warns him about the climate, but he figures he can handle it. When September arrives, temperatures drop to 10 degrees below zero. The guy is standing at a bus stop, all bundled up, shivering uncontrollably, teeth chattering...By Marcus Webb

CARROLLTON, TX — LAI Games has four new developments for coin-op, including two extensions to the popular Stacker merchandiser line, a game that tests “texting” skills and an automated imaging machine…

Merit reports its 2009 software is earning 28% more that its 2008 version… AMI Entertainment and Rowe appointment key sales and support staff… John Schultz exits Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corp. after 10 years as president… Dave & Buster’s Inc. said same-store sales in its third quarter, ended Nov. 2, dropped 6%…

CHICAGO —  The National Automatic Merchandising Association has responded to a column authored by Richard Miniter of the Hudson Institute that appeared in the Nov. 30 edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The opinion-piece alleged that “special interests” were lobbying Congress to waste taxpayer money on replacing the $1 bill with a coin. NAMA disagrees and sets the record straight…

A recent decision by the Consumer Product Safety Commission allowing the sales of products containing phthalates, before a congressional ban goes into effect early next year, is being challenged by two consumer advocacy groups… Tomy Yujin Corp., which brought its Gacha machine and merchandise to the nation’s bulk vendors almost a decade ago, will cease all U.S. vending operations on February 28, 2009…

HAVERFORD, PA — K. Cyrus Melikian, a pioneer in vending equipment design and coffee brewing technology, has died. He met eventual business partner Lloyd Rudd while both were in U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, and they later teamed up to invent and produce a coffee machine under the Rudd-Melikian name. Melikian was 88…

ST. LOUIS — Crane Merchandising Systems announced today that it has acquired the intellectual property of Isochron (Austin, TX). Isochron, a pioneer in wireless solutions for vending, ceased operations on October 31. Crane says Isochron’s technology will help accelerate its strategic initiatives in vending…