The new U2 album, 'No Line on the Horizon,' will be released on March 3rd, but was accidently leaked online - and, soon after, to P2P networks - by the band's label, Universal Music Group.

"The album was mistakenly posted for sale on UMG-operated getmusic.com.au," writes Ars Technica's Jacqui Cheng. "How, exactly, the site managed to give fans access directly to the music files ahead of its official release remains unclear, but the tracks have now spread across the Internet like a bad meme - CD-quality and DRM-free."

"Representatives for both Universal and U2 have yet comment, but it's safe to assume they're both enraged," writes Rolling Stone's Daniel Kreps. "UMG took several preventative measures to ensure the album wouldn't surface before its street date - no promotional copies were mailed to journalists, and reviewers were instead invited to listening parties where recording devices where banned."

"Maybe it's time music publishers, groups, and band managers take a page from Radiohead's In Rainbows and embrace the future of online music distribution," suggests PC World's Brennon Slattery. "No matter what circumventive methods are imposed, the music-listening public will almost always grab a copy of an album or song before its official release. U2 should release No Line on the Horizon immediately on its Web site, asks fans to pay whatever, and reclaim some semblance of control over its publicity and distribution."

More here from Billboard ... more here from the Vancouver Sun ... more here from Forbes ... more here from Tech Central ... more here from CNET News ... and more here from Times Online.