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Universal going to offer free music downloads

Discussion in 'Anything goes' started by The Big Ragu, Aug 29, 2006.

  1. The Big Ragu

    The Big Ragu Moderator Staff Member

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5294842.stm

    Vivendi Universal, the world's biggest music group, has signed a deal to make its music catalogue available on a free legal downloads service.

    The site will make its money via ad revenue.

    This could be a very, very bad thing for Apple.
     
  2. markvid

    markvid Guest

    Apple has already killed themselves by not offering single downloads, instead being insistent on entire albums if an artist wants to be included in their catalog. Many artists have said they just want to put specific tracks on Itunes, not entire albums, but Apple's stubborness has stopped Itunes from dominating like it could.
     
  3. 2muchcoffeeman

    2muchcoffeeman Well-Known Member

    How will they pay royalties to artists and songwriters?

    New releases, or old catalog stuff only?

    That's not Apple being stubborn. That's certain artists depriving themselves of a revenue source.
     
  4. shotglass

    shotglass Guest

    Actually, it's both.
     
  5. Columbo

    Columbo Active Member

    Article doesn't mention how big that catalog is. Or what groups wouldn't be available.

    Pretty salient points to hit on.
     
  6. Columbo

    Columbo Active Member

    UJmmm.... Apple has not killed itself.

    They can't make iPods fast enough.
     
  7. markvid

    markvid Guest

    Ok, I should say ITunes isn't the money-maker it could be.
     
  8. Meatwad

    Meatwad New Member

    iTunes wasn't supposed to be a money maker, it's there to sell ipods. Stories I've read have just about breaking even. And does anyone know someone who has an off-brand player? Do they like it?

    This Universal thing won't work for the same reasons no other service has worked: It will be horrendously clunky, and it won't work with an ipod. They could give away evrything away for free, but if you can't do what you want with it...

    Now if only Apple would hire me to do PR, I'm sounding pretty biased.
     
  9. Columbo

    Columbo Active Member

    That's exactly right.
     
  10. PaseanaARG

    PaseanaARG Guest

    iTunes is not Apple's rolling wheels, it is the highway.
     
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