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Vivendi Calls iTunes Contract Terms "Indecent"

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the better-business-through-greed dept.

Bemopolis writes "Brace yourselves for a shocking revelation: The CEO of Vivendi, parent company of UMG, is not happy with the current deal with the iTunes Store. 'The split between Apple and (music) producers is indecent [...] Our contracts give too good a share to Apple.' The usual argument about older music priced at the same rate as new music is trotted out. No doubt UMG would prefer to make the former cheaper, while maintaining the current pricing for the latter. At least he had the decency not to claim that they were trying to defend their artists against predatory iTunes pricing. Or maybe he just misplaced the index card with that boilerplate on it."

12 of 288 comments (clear)

  1. In... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    ...Soviet Russia, Vivendi seeks iTunes contract terms as "Indecent"

    1. Re:In... by casualsax3 · · Score: 4, Funny

      I have mod points but unfortunately "troll" doesn't quite fit, "offtopic" is too light, and there's no mod option for "horribly unfunny" or "epic fail", so I opted instead to comment.

  2. I don't get it... by maccam · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...how can a company (UMG) that gets money for nothing be in such dire straits?

    --
    Half Word - Will Double, Wire Palindrome, San Francisco
    1. Re:I don't get it... by _Quinn · · Score: 5, Funny

      Turns out that chicks aren't free.

      --
      Reality Maintenance Group, Silver City Construction Co., Ltd.
    2. Re:I don't get it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Because of Steve Jobs. The Man's Too Strong and refuses to be Brothers in Arms to screw consumers. Once Upon a Time in the West, the music industry made money by controlling the distribution, but the Internet makes it One World and people from all Walk of Life can easily download songs for free. Jobs became the Angel of Mercy by opening iTunes Store and converting file sharer into paying customers. He asked the executives "Where Do You Think You're Going? Your Latest Trick doesn't work with the consumers anymore. You and Your Friend must offer music at a compelling price and a reasonable DRM." But the greedy executives issued a Communique calling consumers and iPod owners pirates and thieves. They prefer screwing consumers in their Tunnel of Love and stabbing iTunes in the back with a Six Blade Knife to making honest bucks.

      That's how!

  3. Pot Kettle Black? by EasyT · · Score: 5, Funny
    Having a music label (or CEO of a company that owns said music label) complain that someone else's contract terms are indecent is hilarious. It's like a nudist calling someone else underdressed.

    This is the most entertaining news I've read all day! Thank you, submitter.

  4. Re:Not quite right, I think-WRONG SIG WISDOM by Sj0 · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's what I'd expect to hear from a retarded YANK.

    I'm happy to live in a country where we don't ask god to bless us like snivelling minions, we TELL god to keep our land glorious and free.

    --
    It's been a long time.
  5. Re:Not quite right, I think-WRONG SIG WISDOM by Foobar+of+Borg · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm happy to live in a country where we don't ask god to bless us like snivelling minions, we TELL god to keep our land glorious and free.
    And what will you do if God doesn't? Colonize Him and force Him to grow tea for you?
    --
    Similar to the upcoming US election results
  6. Re:Not quite right, I think-WRONG SIG WISDOM by Sj0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    What do we look like? Those monacle wearing, mongoid worshipping, tabloid devouring failed colonialists with bad teeth, the limeys?

    We'd ask again, and be proud for doing it.

    (And mods without irony sensors can byte me)

    --
    It's been a long time.
  7. Try Being A User by nick_davison · · Score: 2, Funny
    Vivendi Calls iTunes Contract Terms "Indecent"? You should see what they ask of their users:

    10. Export Control. ...You also agree that you will not use these products for any purposes... including, without limitation, the development, design, manufacture or production of missiles, or nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. iTunes Contract - PDF

    Which completely screws with my plan to have bitching tunes blasting from my spinner-equipped nuclear missile.
  8. What I wouldn't give.... by NewYorkCountryLawyer · · Score: 2, Funny

    to see Apple just dump Vivendi!

    It would make my day.

    --
    Ray Beckerman +5 Insightful
  9. Re:Waa, waa.... by swillden · · Score: 2, Funny

    They have to cover their up-front artist payment, marketing, music production (e.g. producers like the Neptunes who bill at 100K per finished minute of music), music video production, fulfillment systems, etc., in addition to the distribution cost. The cost to send the file is not what they're trying to recoup.

    Don't forget the blow... lots and lots of blow. Some of it is even for the musicians.

    --
    Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.