Apple's Ongoing iTunes Negotiations
The New York Post is reporting that the record industry may be on the verge of conceding to Apple's demands that iTunes song pricing model remains constant at $.99 per song.
Apple's current contracts with the record labels expire in the next two months. The NY Post reports that some labels could go as far as to pull their songs from the iTunes Music Store -- however, a more likely scenario described is that the companies will continue to provide their songs but without a contract in place.
These discussions have been an ongoing point of contention between Apple and the record labels.
But Jobs has dug in his heels on the issue, creating the potential for a showdown between the mercurial Apple boss and the record industry should the labels continue to push for variable pricing.
Apple's current contracts with the record labels expire in the next two months. The NY Post reports that some labels could go as far as to pull their songs from the iTunes Music Store -- however, a more likely scenario described is that the companies will continue to provide their songs but without a contract in place.
"That would be problematic for Apple because it allows labels on a whim to pull their stuff whenever they want," said one high-level music executive.
These discussions have been an ongoing point of contention between Apple and the record labels.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)76 months ago
Ah, the NYPost. The most reliable source of info on the planet, at least, when they're not extorting people.
76 months ago
It is very important that Apple keep every song at $.99.
I wish these darn record labels would stop being so greedy. When iTunes first came out, they saw Apple as their savior against pirates. iTunes has sold 1 billion songs since then, so that's 1 billion songs not pirated.
They should bow down to Apple!
I wish these darn record labels would stop being so greedy. When iTunes first came out, they saw Apple as their savior against pirates. iTunes has sold 1 billion songs since then, so that's 1 billion songs not pirated.
They should bow down to Apple!
76 months ago
The whole 99c thing is fantastic. The constant price means you always know how much you're going to have to pay. Its kind of ridiculous when you see some singles for sale in high street shops that have two tracks and sell for £3.99. Absolutely mad.
76 months ago
Record Labels: Lets take a perfectly good ITMS and raise the prices
Customer: **** that, back to piracy I go!
Customer: **** that, back to piracy I go!
76 months ago
yo Jobs... yeah, u gotta stay strong... don't let greedy record label's mess with ur stuff...
76 months ago
I really doubt any (major) record label would go as far as to pull their songs from iTunes. While they may not be able to control what iTunes is charging, they are still making plenty of money from each song sold.
If they pulled any songs, they would not be able to make up all of those sales in CDs or from another online service, people just wouldn't buy as much (people are lazy; they'll either just listen to it on the radio or pirate it).
If they pulled any songs, they would not be able to make up all of those sales in CDs or from another online service, people just wouldn't buy as much (people are lazy; they'll either just listen to it on the radio or pirate it).
76 months ago
I'll have to admit, as much as I love the $.99 thing that the Music Store does have going for it, the music industry DOES have a point. Since when do retailers tell the suppliers what they will be paying for goods? It seems a little backwards to me, not that I'm complaining, b/c I hate record companies just as much as the next guy...but it does make some sense....
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