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Universal Confirms iTunes Contract Change

So Universal now works with iTunes the same way they work with every other online music store.

No longer special terms, yeah that's too bad, but really not that big of a deal.
 
orkle said:
It never ceases to amaze me how many people think they know what they're talking about when they clearly don't.

This is about preventing another monopoly, which is never good for business. If things stay the way they are Apple will end up with too much power. Regardless of who it is, a monopoly is a bad thing.

Just because it's Apple everybody here seems to think it'd be OK!
Click to expand...

It's the faith in Steve Jobs that makes people OK with it. He could have bent to the RIAA's demands and charged 1.49 or more and allow variable prices. The monopoly isn't a bad thing - a monopoly in the hands of greedy people is... Steve and Apple have shown through their actions they aren't that concerned about making money through the sales of songs through iTunes. Let's not forget here that Apple is still selling music for less than the Big Box guys - even with the new DRM free versions.

So long as it's not a manipulative monopoly *cough* MS *cough* the consumer will be just fine - look at Satellite Radio. Combining Sirius and XM is the best thing for consumers, hands down...
 
orkle said:
It never ceases to amaze me how many people think they know what they're talking about when they clearly don't.

This is about preventing another monopoly, which is never good for business. If things stay the way they are Apple will end up with too much power. Regardless of who it is, a monopoly is a bad thing.

Just because it's Apple everybody here seems to think it'd be OK!
Click to expand...

While thats what the record companies claim (that they are trying to prevent another monopoly) you have sorely misplaced your trust if you believe them.

This is about greed pure and simple. If Apple "played ball" with these greedy ***k's then all the labels would be singing their praises. The problem is Apple is adamant about fixed pricing. The labels want more money for "popular" songs. They already make more money off of their music being sold through iTS than with physical cd's for reasons that have been exhaustively stated in many of these forums. Apple refuses to move to variable pricing. So in this case Apple's "monopoly" in this area is actually good for us the consumer. Not that Apple's monopoly can't turn bad too - but they've shown where their interest is - keeping customers coming back to the iTS.

If these labels were really worried about another monopoly - why would they be supporting Microsoft? The fact is, they were hoping Microsoft would crush Apple in the music place the way they did in the OS marketplace. Had Microsoft succeeded - they would be getting their "Pirate Tax", variable pricing and Orwellian DRM. The problem is Apple isn't the same company it was in the 90's and neither is Microsoft. I laugh at how these worthless dinosaurs are grasping at straws here. I hope they all die a slow painful death.
 
Apple sent an "Open Letter" to the industry requesting DRM free content. The ball was put into the industry's court. If they want to break the stranglehold of Apple, remove the DRM restriction.

orkle said:
It never ceases to amaze me how many people think they know what they're talking about when they clearly don't.

This is about preventing another monopoly, which is never good for business. If things stay the way they are Apple will end up with too much power. Regardless of who it is, a monopoly is a bad thing.

Just because it's Apple everybody here seems to think it'd be OK!
Click to expand...
 
poopooplatter said:
The only non-retarded post on this thread.

Do you people even read the article before posting? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Yes...

However, it is thought that Universal wants to be able to offer some music by some bands exclusively through other online music services in its attempt to reduce Apple's control of the online business.

This could mean that music from key artists may not be made available through Apple's service.
Click to expand...

It'll probably be the Zune Store. MS wants to take over that business and Universal is getting $1 per Zune sold.

Nice going, all you iPod pirates!!! :p
 
orkle said:
It never ceases to amaze me how many people think they know what they're talking about when they clearly don't.
Click to expand...

Take you for example...

This is about preventing another monopoly, which is never good for business. If things stay the way they are Apple will end up with too much power.
Click to expand...

Apple, last I checked, had 76% of online music sales. This number was not, last time I checked, increasing. So if you think 76% is a monopoly, great, but it's getting lower just fine on it's own.

There are also two other retail stores selling more music than Apple, and no one is calling them a monopoly, aye?

Regardless of who it is, a monopoly is a bad thing.
Click to expand...

Accept for a few small little details. First off, Universal isn't trying to break Apple "monopoly" so they can LOWER prices for the consumer. Universal wants to INCREASE prices for the consumer.

Universal doesn't want to make music more FREELY available to the consumer so that we have our choice where to make purchases, they want to LIMIT our choice in places to buy their music.

Now universal may not do either of those two things. But if they don't, they aren't really trying to "break" Apple's "monopoly".

I swear to this entire board, and you can quote me, I will physically eat my own shoe if Universal, with this new found control, lowers prices for the consumer without raising any prices (or screwing the artists). Please quote me on this.

Just because it's Apple everybody here seems to think it'd be OK!
Click to expand...

Most of us here are okay with Apple making a buck. Most of us here trust Apple to not get money hungry to the detriment of the consumer. I trust the record labels FAR less than I trust Apple. Call me an idiot fanboy if you will, but that's my stance, and I'm sticking to it until I see both companies turn 180 degrees.

~Tyler
 
Last time I checked Apple make a LOT more money than even the biggest music corporation. Many of you are very misguided, which is fine. I couldn't care less.

Good night!
 
Earendil said:
Most of us here are okay with Apple making a buck. Most of us here trust Apple to not get money hungry to the detriment of the consumer. I trust the record labels FAR less than I trust Apple. Call me an idiot fanboy if you will, but that's my stance, and I'm sticking to it until I see both companies turn 180 degrees.
Click to expand...

Amazing response. My multi billion dollar corporation is better than yours. Lord.
 
dont like it? boycott universal, dont buy anything they sell and show them who has the power in the company/customer relationship
 
bigmc6000 said:
It's the faith in Steve Jobs that makes people OK with it. He could have bent to the RIAA's demands and charged 1.49 or more and allow variable prices. The monopoly isn't a bad thing - a monopoly in the hands of greedy people is... Steve and Apple have shown through their actions they aren't that concerned about making money through the sales of songs through iTunes. Let's not forget here that Apple is still selling music for less than the Big Box guys - even with the new DRM free versions.

So long as it's not a manipulative monopoly *cough* MS *cough* the consumer will be just fine - look at Satellite Radio. Combining Sirius and XM is the best thing for consumers, hands down...
Click to expand...

What's more interesting for me is how EMI's sales are since releasing portions of their catalog to iTunes without DRM. Preliminary reports are very good. I think once the other majors get a whiff of how EMI is doing, they'll jump on board. Even Universal. They're stupid, but not that stupid.:eek:
 
gkarris said:
Yes...



It'll probably be the Zune Store. MS wants to take over that business and Universal is getting $1 per Zune sold.

Nice going, all you iPod pirates!!! :p
Click to expand...

This could mean that music from key artists may not be made available through Apple's service...

:rolleyes:
 
Each time the record companies get into the news, I'm astonished by their stupidity and general "not getting it" attitude. It's actually getting funny now.

Sean
 
Distribution deal

UMG is very successful as a CD distribution company. Wmart controls the retail end. Apple is the leading efile retailer for music and, in the current business environment, in distribution. UMG is just allowing itself not to get tied into a longterm deal while the distribution and retail end of efiles is still taking shape.

I really enjoy the greed comments. Do you think Apple is not greedy?!
 
Anyone know if the recent Apple v Apple settlement now allows Apple Inc to be a music label in there own right. This could be an ideal opportunity for the 2 Apples to work together to get major artists on iTunes exclusively, as well as expand the options to disenchanted Universal artists.


Humm.
 
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