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Universal Refuses To Renew On iTunes

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the don't-be-greedy dept.

UnknowingFool writes "It appears for the moment that Universal will not renew its long term contract with Apple for content on the iTunes store. While the details are not known about the exact nature of the dispute, many speculate that it has to do with Apple's stance on fixed pricing and Apple's refusal to license their DRM. The worse case scenario may include Universal pulling its entire catalog from iTunes. Both sides stand to lose out with 1/3 of of new releases coming from Universal and an estimated 15% of Universal's sales coming from digital downloads. Apple's market share is about 75% of digital downloads, and digital downloads are growing while CD sales are shrinking."

5 of 287 comments (clear)

  1. Re:My Mac Sucks by jcr · · Score: 2, Funny

    Wow, time warp. I haven't seen a Mac 8600 or a 486/66 in about a decade. Where are you, in a barn next to a Model T and a steam tractor?

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
  2. Uh, this is what I'm thinking. by PopeRatzo · · Score: 4, Funny

    Like I needed one more reason to download all my music via bittorrent from my favorite trackers.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  3. OK - Here's a thing by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 5, Funny

    But some music executives have been chafing at the flat rate

    Well, Universal, here's *my* new flat rate for any of your artists.

    $0.00

    I call it the Interwebs Discount.

    Happy now?

    And there isn't a damn thing you can do about it.

  4. Re:Uh... what are you thinking? by Paradise+Pete · · Score: 2, Funny
    Not to mention, Universal wants money from each iPod sold

    I think Apple should demand money from Universal for each CD purchased. After all, chances are that it's going to end up on an iPod anyway.

  5. Re:Uh... what are you thinking? by Khaed · · Score: 4, Funny

    What a shitty deal -- "We get money from every Zune sold!"

    That's like what -- a buck fifty total now?