The tree is up, the ornaments shine bright, the stockings are hung, and we await holiday giving and gifts.

Unbelievably, it has been almost a generation (yes, about twenty years) since the common mantra "I want my MTV" was initiated in a song by Dire Straits. And music still remains quite the rage.

My last column reported on results from a recent survey documenting that musicians in particular have embraced the Internet, notwithstanding various copyright legal issues that have emerged starting with Napster and online file-sharing.

So, music is here to stay, and it will only grow and proliferate on the Internet, whether for pay or otherwise. But back to the Christmas holiday now upon us.

In my adult years, I have been rather unexcited and indifferent about the gifts I may receive at Christmas. I have been more interested in what I can provide my family and friends.

But this Christmas, I am quite jazzed (pardon the pun) about what I might receive. No, I am not looking forward to my two front teeth (that was years ago, and perhaps again years from now).

Instead, my mantra this year is "I want my iPod." I really find it unbelievable that in a hand-held the size of a deck of cards, 10,000 songs can be accessed immediately, easily and with high-quality sound.

Years past, I was excited by the introduction of the Walkman. Santa, I now am ready for the next giant leap made available by the iPod.

Santa, I promise that if you see fit to put an iPod in my stocking, not only will I download music in a lawful manner, I also will eat my vegetables at every meal.

[Editor's note: He got it!]

Eric Sinrod is a partner in the San Francisco office of Duane Morris (www.duanemorris.com), where he focuses on litigation matters of various types, including information technology disputes. His column appears Wednesdays at USATODAY.com. His Web site is www.sinrodlaw.com, and he can be reached at . To receive a weekly e-mail link to Mr. Sinrod's columns, please send an e-mail with the word Subscribe in the Subject line to .

Reprinted here with permission from USAToday.com.