After Review, Time Says Fareed Zakaria\'s Plagiarism Was \'Isolated Incident\'

By CHRISTINE HAUGHNEY

Time magazine is keeping Fareed Zakaria as a columnist after editors there reviewed his work in light of his admission that he plagiarized parts of a New Yorker article in a recent column.

“We have completed a thorough review of each of Fareed Zakaria's columns for Time, and we are entirely satisfied that the language in question in his recent column was an unintentional error and an isolated incident for which he has apologized,” according to a statement issued by a Time spokeswoman. “We look forward to having Fareed's thoughtful and important voice back in the magazine with his next column in the issue that comes out on Sept. 7.

The magazine suspended Mr. Zakaria, 48, on Friday after he apologized for copying sections of his column on gun control - in the Aug. 20 issue - from an article written by Prof. Jill Lepore of Harvard in the New Yorker.

Following the news, CNN also suspended him as host of th e weekly show “Fareed Zakaria GPS” and said that a shorter blog post he had written for the CNN Web site had similarly unattributed excerpts. CNN and Time magazine are both part of Time Warner.

On Thursday afternoon, the network said in a statement that it, too, had completed an internal review of Mr. Zakaria's work. “We found nothing that merited continuing the suspension,” the statement reads, adding, “Zakaria has apologized for a journalistic lapse. CNN and Zakaria will work together to strengthen further the procedures for his show and blog.” His show will return Aug. 26.

The Washington Post later announced it would conduct a review of his columns. But a Washington Post spokeswoman said she expects him to continue his column in September.

The similarities in the texts were spotted by the conservative Web site NewsBusters, and quickly spread across the Internet after appearing on the media blog JimRomenesko.com.< /p>

After the similarities were found, Mr. Zakaria issued a statement saying: “Media reporters have pointed out that paragraphs in my Time column this week bear close similarities to paragraphs in Jill Lepore's essay in the April 23 issue of The New Yorker. They are right. I made a terrible mistake. It is a serious lapse and one that is entirely my fault. I apologize unreservedly to her, to my editors at Time, and to my readers.”

Earlier this year, Mr. Zakaria was criticized for giving a commencement speech at Harvard that was very similar to the one he had earlier given at Duke. Mr. Zakaria is known for managing a demanding schedule: he works for CNN, writes columns for Time and The Washington Post and also writes books.

Getting Rental Car Coverage for Luxury Vehicles

By ANN CARRNS

Bucks recently reported on the differences in rental car insurance that consumers get, depending on which credit card they use to pay for the rental. The report noted that for basic coverage, available to cardholders at no charge, the major card networks generally exclude luxury vehicles and that American Express also excludes some popular sport utility vehicles.

Michael Germanovsky, editor in chief at Credit-Land.com, contacted Bucks to say that if you are determined to rent a fancy vehicle, American Express offers “premium” insurance coverage, for about $25 per rental period (not per day, as is generally the case with insurance offered by rental car companies), for periods of as long as 42 days in most markets. The premium version does cover S.U.V.'s,and even luxury vehicles valued at more than $75,000, according to the American Express Web site.

Why rent a luxury car? Sometimes, he said, people on vacation in trend y areas (“Have you ever been to Miami?” he asked), or drivers needing a rental car while their own is being repaired,  want to splurge and drive something special. In those situations, the extra fee can be a good value, he said.

The premium coverage provides other perks as well. For starters, it acts as primary insurance - meaning, it provides coverage ahead of your personal insurance. That is different from most standard credit card coverage, which typically kicks in after your own insurance.

To get the premium coverage, you must enroll your card, according to the Web site. Then you'll pay the extra fee each time you rent using the card, until you terminate your enrollment.

Have you ever rented a luxury car? How did you deal with the insurance?

Founder of Digital Music Company Is Ousted, and Theories Abound

By BEN SISARIO

In a surprise change that could have consequences for thousands of independent recording artists, the founder of TuneCore, a digital music distribution company, has been fired by the company's board.

Jeff Price, the company's outspoken founder, announced in a blog post on Wednesday that he was no longer its chief executive. He gave neither a reason for his termination nor a specific date when it took effect.

TuneCore acts as a digital middleman for small and independent artists, charging a $50 annual fee to distribute albums to online services like iTunes, Amazon and Spotify and keep track of royalties. Most of its 700,000 clients are little known at best, but the service has also attracted big names like Trent Reznor, Drake and even Jay-Z, who own their music and stand to earn more money selling an album through TuneCore than through a traditional record label.

The simplicity and openness of its model has made Tun eCore extremely popular with musicians. In his blog post, Mr. Price said that in its six years the company had “sold over 610 million units of music generating over $310 million in gross music sales.”

Peter Wells, another founder of TuneCore who had wide-ranging responsibilities at the company, was also let go. “My position was dissolved,” Mr. Wells wrote in an e-mail.

It was not immediately clear why Mr. Price and Mr. Wells were let go. A TuneCore spokesman declined to comment, and Gill Cogan, a board member who is also partner in TuneCore's lead investor, Opus Capital, did not return a phone call late Wednesday. Billboard, citing anonymous sources, said that Mr. Price had been fired on July 20, a date that was corroborated by a person inside the company who was not authorized to speak about it.

Within hours of Mr. Price's announcement on Wednesday, commentators, other business people and artists began to speculate abo ut the reasons, and also to defend his management of the company.

One independent artist, Alex Day, wrote on an industry blog that he had sold “half a million songs on iTunes, all put there by TuneCore.” He added: “I've always seen TuneCore as a supportive family and there can be no greater home for my work, and Jeff is responsible for creating such a welcoming and encouraging environment for emerging talent.”

Mr. Wells added: “I'm stunned this happened to Jeff, and very concerned. Jeff is TuneCore, its heart and soul and brains.”

Inside the industry, Mr. Price has also had his detractors. Even in a field known for headstrong entrepreneurs, he is particularly volatile, churning out thousands of argumentative words on his blog and picking public fights. A dispute with Amazon over royalties, for for example, resulted in TuneCore's catalog being removed from Amazon in Europe for a several months earlier this year.

Mr. Price says he sticks up for artists' rights; others have accused him of being bombastic and of using such situations to promote his business.

Some of Mr. Price's business plans have also been criticized. He has said that TuneCore's flat fee is the fairest structure for artists in the digital age. But that also means that TuneCore makes no more money selling 10 copies of an album than selling a million. Last year, the company also started a service tracking down publishing royalties for songwriters, but as of May it had signed up only 4,000 clients. With Mr. Price out, the company could change some of these policies.

On Thursday morning, Rdio, a subscription streaming service, announced that it had struck licensing deals with TuneCore and one of its competitors, CD Baby. It was unclear whether Mr. Price's termination had anything to do with that deal, and an Rdio spokeswoman could not immediately be reached.

Mr. Price remains a member of TuneCore's board, and owns a portion of the company. Reached by phone late Wednesday, he declined to comment on being fired, but said: “I owe it to every investor in that company, every adviser and employee of the company, and every customer, to ensure that the value of the company is maximized.”

Ben Sisario writes about the music industry. Follow @sisario on Twitter.

Marketer of Student Debit Cards Settles Charges of Improper Fees

August 16, 2012, 11:55 am

By ANN CARRNS

Higher One, a big marketer of student debit cards, agreed to repay $11 million to 60,000 students to settle allegations that it had charged excessive fees to students who overdrew their accounts, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation said.

Higher One contracts with hundreds of colleges to distribute financial aid, which students are encouraged to access using debit cards linked to the company's checking accounts. Many students receive aid that is more than the cost of tuition, and use the excess funds to cover housing, textbooks and other costs.

Higher One had partnered with the Bancorp Bank to issue debit cards, which brought it under the authority of the F.D.I.C. The bank regulator said in a stat ement that it determined that Higher One and the bank violated the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits “unfair and deceptive practices.” The F.D.I.C. said that Higher One and Bancorp Bank charged multiple fees for non-sufficient funds on a single transaction when students overspent their accounts. Higher One also allowed the accounts to remain overdrawn for long periods of time, which allowed fees to accrue, and then withdrew the fees when subsequent deposits of financial aid were made, the F.D.I.C. found.

The settlement require Higher One to change the way it charges fees for non-sufficient funds. It can't, for instance, charge more than three of those fees on any account on a single day, and can't charge more than one such fee within a 21-day period for debits known as “automated clearinghouse transactions.” The company is also required not to engage in “misleading or deceptive” marketing.

A spokeswoman for Hig her One said it had already credited affected account holders, who represented less than 2 percent of its customers, and complied with other requirements of the settlement, which also imposes a $110,000 civil penalty on the company. “We believe the relatively low civil money penalty imposed reflects how seriously we take our commitment to our customers, the degree of the issue, and our level of cooperation with the F.D.I.C.,” the company said in a statement.

The F.D.I.C. also settled with the Bancorp Bank, which will pay $172,000 in penalties. As the issuer of the debit cards, the F.D.I.C. said, the bank was responsible for making sure Higher One operated its accounts in compliance with the law. Bancorp Bank did not respond to requests for comment.

Neither Higher One nor The Bancorp Bank, which has terminated its relationship with Higher One, admitted or denied liability in the settlement.

Higher One has been controversial on some campuses because of th e fees it charges, and because of its marketing to students who sometimes think they have no option but to open a Higher One account in order to receive their student loans,grants and scholarships. (Higher One typically stresses that while using its card is optional, it is the fastest way for students to get their money).

Following the announcement of the F.D.I.C. settlement, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued tips for students on choosing a bank while attending college. The agency advises students that:

- You can't be required to use a specific bank or card. There may be a financial institution that operates on your campus, but you generally can't be required to use a specific account or card to access your student aid. If you have received a federal student loan, your school must provide a paper check or cash option.
- Consider choosing an account before arriving at school. Shop around, and don't feel limited by the banks operating ATM s on or near campus. Some financial institutions don't charge you for using any ATMs, and some will automatically reimburse you for fees charged for using an out-of-network ATM. Many institutions also provide a mobile phone app to remotely deposit paper checks.
- If your school offers it, sign up for direct deposit as soon as possible. If your school offers direct deposit, you may be able to provide the school with your account information in order to access your funds more quickly.

Have you used Higher One or another school-endorsed vendor to obtain your financial aid? What has been your experience?

Justice Dept. Approves, With Changes, Verizon Wireless Spectrum Purchase

August 16, 2012, 11:59 am

By AMY CHOZICK

The United States Justice Department approved a deal struck by Verizon Wireless to purchase spectrum from the country's largest cable operators, but officials also required that the agreement be altered to protect against higher prices for consumers.

The department said that the deal, unamended, could hinder quality and lead to higher costs. Verizon will pay $3.6 billion for wireless airwaves owned by Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks.

Its decision comes after an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission into whether the spectrum transfer adhered to antitrust laws. Final approval will still be subject to the F.C.C.

The spectrum purchase won't j ust allow Verizon to expand its wireless data network, but will also allow the cable partners to market their services in Verizon retail stores. The agreements could speed the way to cellphone, cable, Internet and home phones (if those still exist) appearing on a single monthly bill.

Comcast has already set up branded kiosks in select Verizon Wireless stores to offer customers discounts if they sign up for the cable company's “triple play” of Internet, phone and cable service upon purchasing a Verizon mobile device.

“We are pleased that the consent decree that we have negotiated with the Department of Justice preserves the most important goals of the agreements, including Comcast's ability to market Verizon Wireless services,” David L. Cohen, Comcast's executive vice president said in a statement.

Amy Chozick is The Times's corporate media reporter. Follow @amychozick on Twitter.

Michael J. Fox May Return to TV

August 16, 2012, 10:53 am

By BRIAN STELTER

Michael J. Fox, who starred on the sitcom “Spin City” in the 1990s but stepped aside in 2000 as the symptoms of his Parkinson's disease worsened, may return to network television next year. 

Sony Pictures Television is developing a show that would feature Mr. Fox for the television season that starts in the fall of 2013, according to an executive with direct knowledge of the matter. The person insisted on anonymity because the project had not been publicly announced by Sony.

All four of the major broadcast networks are interested in bidding on the project, according to the entertainment Web site Vulture, which was the first to report on it.

Mr. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disea se in 1991 and later founded a nonprofit to provide financing for a search for a cure. Earlier this year he said in an ABC News interview that a new combination of drugs had helped him control his tics and tremors. As a result, he said, he had started to accept more acting work, including guest appearances on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “The Good Wife.”

Another Change at News Corp. as TV Executive Steps Down

August 16, 2012, 10:55 am

By AMY CHOZICK

In the latest change at News Corporation before the company splits off its publishing businesses from its entertainment assets, David Haslingden, a long-time television executive who ran the Fox Networks Group is stepping down.
The media company said Wednesday that Mr. Haslingden, who has served as president of the unit that includes Fox Broadcasting, Fox's regional sports channels and the National Geographic cable channels, since January 2011, will leave at the end of the year. News Corporation expects regulators to approve its separation within the next twelve months.
Mr. Haslingden, a 20-year veteran of News Corporation, worked closely with Rupert Murdoch's son, James Murdoch, to oversee Fox's intern ational cable channels business, seen as a bright spot for the $50 billion media company.
The company said in a statement that Mr. Haslingden planned to move back to Australia to spend more time with his family. “My family is by far my greatest love, and being away from them for almost two years is long enough,” he said in a statement.
His resignation is the latest in a series of changes within the company.      Last month, News Corporation named Peter Rice chairman and chief executive of the Fox Networks Group, making him the company's top television executive. Mr. Haslingden would have reported to Mr. Rice.
David Hill, chief executive of Fox Sports, was named senior vice president of News Corporation, a position that would enable him to focus on larger companywide digital and programming initiatives worldwide.
Mr. Haslingden replaced Tony Vinciquerra after he stepped down last year. He had previously overseen the Fo x International Channels and relocated to Los Angeles for the job.
“Since joining News Corporation, David has been a driving force in the evolution of the pay-TV industry in every corner of the world,” Chase Carey, president and chief operating officer of News Corporation said in a statement.

The Breakfast Meeting: Asylum for Assange, and Jay-Z\'s Stamp on the Nets

By NOAM COHEN

The WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Thursday was granted political asylum by Ecuador, whose embassy in London is currently shielding him. Outside the embassy, the scene has become more chaotic with scuffles between the police and supporters of Mr. Assange. Hanging over the Ecuadorean decision is the possibility that the British government could revoke the diplomatic immunity of the embassy and seize Mr. Assange to extradite him to Sweden, William Neuman and Maggy Ayala report, where he is wanted for questioning over allegations that he sexually assaulted two women. Ecuador's foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño, didn't take kindly to the suggestion that the British might move in: “We are not a British colony.” In his statement on Thursday, The Guardian reported, he said: “We trust the U.K. will offer the necessary guarantees so that both governments can act adequately and properly respect international rights and the right of asylum.”

On paper, Jay-Z is a minor investor in the Nets basketball team - one-fifteenth of 1 percent. But in terms of shaping the image of the franchise, which is moving to Brooklyn this September, he may as well be the owner, David M. Halbfinger writes. He helped design the team logos, picking the unusual black-and-white non-color scheme; he advises on what music to play during timeouts and on how best to interact with its patrons. It is an arrangement with benefits for both sides: Jay-Z (born Shawn Carter and raised in the Marcy housing project not far from where the Nets will play) brings credibility to the team as it courts new fans, while he profits from many tie-ins with the new arena.

• If any part of the NBCUniversal empire was banking on the Olympics to be a “game changer,” it was the NBC Sports Network, which had nearly a million viewers a day, which was a sixfold increase from the four weeks earlier, Richard Sandomir writes. Drawing that audi ence â€" including the huge viewership for the women's soccer final â€" offered a chance for the public to see it as viable sports channel, perhaps for the first time. But adding mainly studio-based shows, however, is not likely to be enough to retain much of that audience.

A new tablet from Samsung - the Galaxy Note 10.1 - is a compelling competitor to the iPad, David Pogue writes in his review. Its size and weight are roughly the same as the iPad, but it is crammed with many more features as well as a stylus, which offers the ability to write notes that can be converted (not always perfectly) into text. If there is any flaw with the new Samsung tablet, he writes, it is that there are too many features: “It has a higher feature count than any other tablet, but those features are stuffed into a machine with less coherence than any other tablet.”

The crowds began gathering Wednesday night at Graceland to mark the 35th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death on Aug. 16, 1977. They were greeted for the first time by Elvis's wife, Priscilla Presley, and daughter, Lisa Marie, The Associated Press reported. “I've always avoided this because I felt that it would be too emotional, but I really felt it was important to come down here tonight,” Lisa Marie Presley said. Organizers said about 75,000 people were expected take part in the vigil.

Thursday Reading: Seizing the Last Days of Summer

By ANN CARRNS

A variety of consumer-focused articles appears daily in The New York Times and on our blogs. Each weekday morning, we gather them together here so you can quickly scan the news that could hit you in your wallet.