Self-defeating - or rather, counter-intuitive. Any DRM-free MP3 file should work on any iPod, therefore these "any download service but iTunes" guys will only serve to sell more iPods for Apple. Do they not understand this? Do they not understand that iTunes, while not profitless, is a big loss-leader for Apple?
Considering that Steve Jobs and Apple almost single-handedly created the music download market, which is keeping these bozos afloat, this absurdly spiteful "anyone but Apple" approach really makes the record-label dinosaurs look like the cretins they are.
I really think it's time for iTunes to start signing musicians to direct contracts, and cut out these middlemorons altogether. They are taking up both space and oxygen from the rest of us.
"The bottom line: Bad music results just woke Warner Music to the fact that consumers don't want DRM."
So that is why Fox videos will be using Apple DRM for rentals.
I agree with Dave (above) about iTunes signing artists directly. I guess the only problem for Apple regarding this is access to the huge back catalogue of works by recording artists that each record company holds. As record companies become less relevant in the digital age I expect them to hang on to their back catalogue more desperately as it will be their only means of survival.
Apple can always hurt AMZN by selling fairplayed tunes AT LOWER COST than AMZN, if they choose. The Warner move simply looks spiteful and is almost certainly a serious antitrust violation.
"...rinse and repeat." I love it! Carl, you are one of my favorite reads.
Mr Howe,
Pretty sure this is not where this should be posted, but here goes...
I am interested in seeing something about product placement with Apple products. I am noticing new iMacs and Macbooks in many TV shows this fall. I have evening seen some iPhones in use (NCIS for example.) Even the new National Treasure move featured Macs and iPods extensively.
Product placement is a very fascinating aspect of marketing and I was wondering if Apple has started a big push in this direction the last year or if I am just more sensitive the logo (as a new Mac user). Also does the link between Disney and Apple, increase its presence in ABC TV or Disney movies?
Enjoy the site, thanks.
I agree: if Apple wants to be the true innovator that it keeps portraying itself as, redo the whole music distribution chain -- go direct to bands and artistes and do what the record companies have been doing all this while. Maybe then the bands and artistes could expect to get more promotion and marketing from Apple and a fairer deal than they did with the record companies.
Commenting by HaloScan
