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Google Music Downloads To Go Ahead Without Sony Or Warner

Posted by Soulskill on from the they'll-never-stop-arguing dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Google has sent out press invitations to an event on Wednesday where it's expected they'll unveil their long-rumored Google Music download service. CNET reports that while Google already has an agreement in place with Universal, talks with Sony and Warner Music Group are still in progress, and won't be finished by the time Google Music launches. 'The negotiations between Google and the labels by and large have not gone well for either side. The labels are eager for a serious iTunes competitor to emerge and believe Google has the technological know-how, money, and Internet presence to give iTunes a run for its money. ... Yet, the company is once again launching a major part of its music service without acquiring licenses and this may serve to widen the rift between the company and some of the labels. '"

3 of 220 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Here's a chance to grab my money Google. by GuruBuckaroo · · Score: 4, Informative

    You mean exactly like Amazon's music store?

    --
    Poor means hoping the toothache goes away.
  2. Warner Music is owned by a Russian oligarch by Animats · · Score: 5, Informative

    In the 1990s, Warner Music was the largest record company. Now they're third. Warner Music is owned by a Russian oligarch, Leonard Blavatnik, who bought it last July. If Google had wanted Warner Music, they could have bought it then. It sold for $3 billion (actually only $320 million in cash plus the assumption of debt) a few months ago.

    Google probably doesn't want to own a record company. It would be a distraction.

    1. Re:Warner Music is owned by a Russian oligarch by utkonos · · Score: 5, Informative

      Just because a person has a Russian last name does not make them an oligarch. According to wikipedia: "Born in the Soviet Union, he attended University in Moscow. He emigrated with his family from Russia to the U.S. in 1978, and received a masters in computer science from Columbia University and an MBA degree from Harvard Business School in 1989. In the West, he is known as Len Blavatnik."

      That is hardly the profile of an oligarch. Sounds more like an American who made it big. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_oligarch).