Marketplace: Monday, April 19, 2004

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A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW 14.12 (-.14%) ; NASDAQ 24.69 (1.24%) ; S&P 500 1.21 (.11%)

Newscast It's three for three at Royal Dutch Shell. For the third time since January, the company lowered estimates of its oil and gas reserves. Also on this April 19th, Chief Financial Officer Judith Boynton became the third director to resign since the company first admitted up that it had overstated reserves by more than 20 percent. It may feel like spring outside, but it's the season to be jolly if you're a lobbyist. A tax reform bill that is a high priority for Congress has quietly spawned hundreds of extra pages of stocking stuffers. Listen to all newscast items

Features Music Bridge: I Don't Want to Go Back Empty Handed - SerArt Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Mercenaries in Iraq The explosion of private security contracts in Iraq is straining the ability of firms to find qualified employees. Where to find talent? Critics say some companies are looking in all the wrong places. Reporter: Steve Henn Related Story: "Mercenaries Second Largest Force In Iraq" Music Bridge: Way Away - Yellowcard Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource

Two Auto Giants Play Together - At Last It's time to put the show in overdrive, or at least to talk about it. General Motors and Ford today announced plans to collaborate on developing a new, six-speed automatic transmission. It's the first time the two industry rivals have worked together on a project of this size. And the end result could mean more efficiency - in more ways than one. Reporter: Matthew Algeo Related Story: "Ford, GM to Jointly Build Transmissions"

Bleeding Edge Advertising? How clever is too clever when it comes to advertising? Is a Web site for a fake cloning clinic that’s actually promoting a movie pushing the envelope too far? Reporter/Host: David Brown Music Bridge: The Ballroom Blitz - Sweet Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource

College Finances For All! High school seniors planning on college are getting their acceptance letters. Though the good news may make the young scholar euphoric, parents have to worry about how to pay for it. That sometimes means sifting thru a stack of financial aid offers. The deadline for a decision looms. You know what? Your youngster may be worth more than you know. Commentator: Kim Clark Related Story: "College Tuition Keeps Rising" Music Bridge: Sting - The White Stripes Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource

College Downloader Beware Schools are swamped with another kind of paperwok: Cease and desist letters. It may be students downloading music and movies. But the school may be on the hook too - if the downloader's using the school's system. For about a year, entertainment industry executives have been commiserating with top university officials to figure out a solution. Reporter: Lisa Napoli Related Story: "Entertainment Industry Takes Anti-Piracy Offensive to Campuses" Music Bridge: Go! - Tones on Tail Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource

DVD Protection - No Easy Task It's a cops & robbers story, with a twist. Every time the movie industry creates a digital lock on its products, a digital lock-picker figures out how to break in. Take 3-2-1 Studios, based in St. Louis. Until recently, the company sold a product that allowed users to make perfect copies of their copy-protected DVDs. Reporter: Tamar Brott Related Story: "Pirated 'Passion' Copies Swamp Peru"

Coming up on Tuesday The situation in Iraq is confusing, not to mention dangerous. It’s also rife with corruption: The Spoils of War, a Marketplace special report.