Slash LaneMusic publishers own a different set of rights for which Apple must also strike a deal, according to Peter Kafka of MediaMemo. Apple is said to have started making deals with the labels first in its negotiation process, and only recently began talking with publishers.
How long it will take to reach an agreement with publishers remains to be seen. But Apple's launch of 90 second song previews in iTunes was reportedly held up for months last year because of negotiations with publishers.
Kafka also said that sources in the music industry believe that Apple wants to launch or at least announce its so-called "iCloud" service at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, starting June 6 in San Francisco. This year's event is expected to focus on software, and it is not expected that Apple will unveil new iPhone hardware as it has done in years past.
"In Apple's case, I'm told that the company doesn't have any theological hurdles to clear with the publishers," Kafka wrote.
As for the music labels, Apple has been making headway, with deals already reached with Sony Corp., EMI Group, and Warner Music Group. Those agreements would allow users to access song collections from mobile devices via the Internet.
The lone holdout remains Universal Music Group, the largest recording company. But it has also been said that Apple and Universal are close to reaching an agreement.
The Internet-based service is expected to offer more than just music, serving up calendar events, contacts, e-mail and bookmarks. Apple recently acquired the "icloud.com" domain name, suggesting that the company's current cloud-based service, MobileMe, could be rebranded in the revamp.
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30 Comments
I am not very excited about streaming music, I have a small collection of songs I listen to repeatedly, small enough for local storage.
But I am interested in a cloud service. It should have email, small web server (just enough for a personal site), and some kind of backup capacity. I have a Time Capsule, but for some really important files (past electronic tax returns etc) I would like offsite backup. Syncing is a beautifully logical thing for the cloud to be used for, but I personally don't use that feature.
Actually the existing MobileMe is just perfect for me, if only the iDisk was faster (for the backup role).
Not theological? I guess that leaves pecuniary.
The major music publishers are ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Here in Nashville, they are a regular fixture in the music/songwriting community. They aren't the easiest to deal with but because the labels are falling into line, perhaps they will see the opportunity and agree to a contract.
The major music publishers are ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Here in Nashville, they are a regular fixture in the music/songwriting community. They aren't the easiest to deal with but because the labels are falling into line, perhaps they will see the opportunity and agree to a contract.
Actually, those three companies aren't music publishers, but rather PROs (performance right organizations) who collect monies for the publishers/songwriters when it comes to broadcasts or live performances (while companies like Harry Fox collect mechanicals). I'd imagine Apple would have to deal with publishing companies like Warner Chappell, UMPG, Sony/ATV, etc., right about now.
Either way, I agree. With the label's pretty much in line, I think this eventually gets done.
Hello there how are you, I think this is wonderful of Apple to introduce this .
I'm the tea lady at Netvillage and I wish the little sods here would do this too.
They do have some interesting community software though.
Oh well, I better pop off then.
Bye bye, the tea lady.