The big market drop in Japan will probably make things even harder for some of them.

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And even some big firms are claiming to specialise in several things: for example, Apax says it has built expertise in six carefully selected industries.

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But for some music stars, though, things aren't that rough--even if you're not selling records, tapes, CDs or downloads, there are plenty of ways to make money.

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They're hoping for the same kind of effect by his focusing on some positive things, and stressing that there is a plan for victory, even though he won't give a timeline.

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"I feel bad for the people who don't at some point understand that there's something funny in even the worst things that can happen to you, " Ephron said.

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"The reality is that, for most people, even if things are broadcast to all their friends and the public, they still have some expectation about the way that it's used, " he said.

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Things could get even uglier if the move spawned legal problems, with some passengers likely to sue for discrimination, possibly under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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