http://www.metafilter.com/tags/spiralfrog Posts tagged with 'spiralfrog' at MetaFilter. Mon, 02 Jul 2007 08:00:33 -0800 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 08:00:33 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://www.metafilter.com/62563/The%2DU2%2DiPod%2DBack%2Dwhen%2Dwe%2Dwere%2Dfriends <a href="http://lefsetz.com/">Bob Lefsetz has been sharing his opinions on the music industry for years.</a> In last night's newsletter, he announces, <a href="http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.php/archives/2007/07/02/universalitunes/">"Let the games begin!"</a> - and indeed, let them. Universal Music has declined to re-sign to a long term deal with Apple, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/business/business-universalmusic-itunes.html?_r=1&oref=slogint">essentially leaving them open to <i>exclusive</i> deals with other services.</a> The fact that Doug Morris (chairman of <a href="http://www.vivendi.com/ir/en/keybusinesses/key_business_music.php">UMG</a>) and Zach Horowitz (President of Universal's parent company, Vivendi) have been gearing up to loosen the stranglehold that iTunes has on online distribution is <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/b194883e-36b2-11db-89d6-0000779e2340.html">not exactly news.</a> They've used similar tactics against <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/09/universal-music-get-fee-for-every-zune-sold/">Microsoft's Zune</a> and <a href="http://news.softpedia.com/news/Vivendi-vs-YouTube-The-Battle-Is-About-To-Begin-56012.shtml">YouTube.</a> But with the release of the iPhone and following his well-timed decision to <a href="http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic/">openly "share his thoughts" on DRM,</a> not to mention <a href="http://news.com.com/EMI,+Apple+partner+on+DRM-free+premium+music/2100-1027_3-6172398.html">his landmark deal with (perennial "armpit of the industry") EMI to sell their music DRM-free and at a higher cost</a> - the real question is: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/02/business/media/02universal.html">is Steve Jobs ready to play hardball?</a></a> tag:metafilter.com,2007:site.62563 Mon, 02 Jul 2007 08:00:33 -0800 apple bobLefsetz DougMorris DRM EMI iPhone iPod iTunes music spiralfrog SteveJobs universal Vivendi ZachHoriowitz phaedon