12.10.07 - 01:06pm
iMeem has just signed a contract with Universal sealing the largest of the four top music labels on their free music sharing social networking site.
Imeem began in October of 2004 as a social media service made for watching, posting, and sharing content of all media types, paid for by advertisers. However, before it was able to get the music, Imeem first had to fight with the music labels over their free advertising based music file sharing, even being sued by Warner for copyright infringement.
Eventually the beleaguered music labels came around, finally realizing that digital was where the money was and things would have to be done differently if they were going to bring profits back up. Imeem was then able to settle their differences with Warner and sign them. Previously they had already signed with EMI, Sony, BMG and a number of small labels. The labels get a piece of the money made from Imeem’s advertisers. Universal was the one holdout left.
Category: apple | Tags: free-music-file-sharing, imeem, universal | Be the First to Comment »
08.13.07 - 02:12pm
Universal is going DRM free and gBox is taking full advantage of Apple’s fight with Universal to step in to promote their new online music service.
Google has formed an advertising partnership with gBox in which Google will get paid by showing ads directing buyers to
gBox when a search is done for a particular artist. Buyers can then buy and download the song through gBox so rather than having to search through iTunes for an artist and song users can simply search for the artist or song and buy from there. Google will get paid in their standard advertising dollars from the seller of the music in this case Universal who will be paying for the ads rather than getting a cut of music sales such as iTunes does. Universal then has a separate deal with gBox for using their service to distribute and make their music available for download.
Category: itunes | Tags: apple, drm-free, gBox, itunes, universal | Be the First to Comment »
08.13.07 - 12:39pm
Universal is taking the bold move to go DRM free, but they will be going there for at least the next six months without the biggest online retail store, iTunes.
Universal has fought with Apple notoriously since iTunes first came online. Universal wanted varied music pricing and Apple refused to budge from the 99 cents per song.
They also fought over DRM restrictions particularly when Apple negotiated with EMI for DRM free music, changing the wave of online DRM for all involved like it or not.
During the latest contract negotiations talks fell apart and ended with Universal still leaving songs on Apple but without a long term contract meaning that should the music company decide to they could pull their songs at any time.
Category: itunes | Tags: drm-free, itunes, universal | Be the First to Comment »
07.02.07 - 03:32pm
Universal and Steve Jobs have never been the best of friends as arguing over the price of digital music downloads has become one long drawn out fight. Now, tensions appear to be heating as Universal has refused to renew their two-year contract with Apple’s iTunes instead opting for a month to month contract saying they will only market the music to Apple “at will.”
This gives Universal some extra power in any negotiations because should they choose to pull their music it would be the equivalent of 1 of every 3 hit songs no longer being available on iTunes.
With so much new competition in the digital music store market, Universal may be looking for a company that is willing to go with the higher prices Universal wants and they may also want to keep DRM attached.
Apple has had a great monopoly over the digital music market accounting for 76 percent of digital download sales. To lose a company like Universal thus suddenly limiting iTunes songs could be quite a blow to the company.
Category: itunes | Tags: apple, digital_music, itunes, monopoly, music_downloads, steve_jobs, universal | Be the First to Comment »
02.19.07 - 03:05pm
Ifrogz is home to the most customizable iPod cases around, so it is little wonder they would want an iPod charger that is customizable as well. The POWERpod PowerUp iPod charger allows you to charge your iPod from anywhere you happen to be.
Simply plug your ipod into the POWERpod, and plug the POWERpod into a wall outlet, your car, USB port or even charge it with a 9 volt battery.
The POWERpod makes it easy to travel and charge your iPod, anywhere. It is compatible with all iPods and is now live on the ifrogz website. The POWERpod PowerUp retails for $39.99.
Category: Car Chargers, Chargers, iPod | Tags: ipod-charger, universal | Be the First to Comment »
