"I'm sure that's what Universal is trying to do, posturing for a better deal. Apple knows they could go to RealNetworks' Rhapsody or Napster, but their unit volume would be 20 percent of what it is through iTunes at best. It's a cut off your nose to spite your face argument.
" According to Wikipedia, UMG holds 25.5 percent of the marketshare of the music industry. It's home to artists like Shania Twain, Bon Jovi, Elton John, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, U2 and up and comers like Amy Winehouse and Akon.
Neither Universal nor Apple responded to inquiries from , nor did either side appear to be commenting publicly to any press or media outlets for the time being. Apple is coming off the enormous success of theiPhone launch, further cementing Steve Jobs's position as a force in consumer electronics. In the four years since iTunes first launched, it has emerged as the place to go to buy electronic music, assuming people actually buy it.
A report last month by NPD Group found iTunes was the number three music retailer behind Wal-Mart and Best Buy, with 9.8 percent of the total music market. NPD found that digital music continues to grow, accounting for the remaining 13.
8 percent of total sales. But to hear Jobs tell it, iTunes is but a bit player. In February he published an open letter to the industry, claiming only three percent of music on iPods was bought at the iTunes store.
In that letter, Jobs also stuck to his guns when it came to iTunes pricing, despite pressure from labels to change. Labels have complained for years about the iTunes pricing structure of 99 cents for every track, instead of lower prices for older songs and a higher price for newer, hit songs. Also, there is continued resentment at the lock between iTunes and the iPod.
People want choices, to use non-iPods with iTunes, and to use some other software than iTunes with the iPod player. "Clearly the music industry is not happy with the degree of control Apple has over the market and prices and the pressure that Apple's putting on them to remove the DRM," ( Ecommerce Archives | 7 day summary to your favorites to your browser search box "I'm sure that's what Universal is trying to do, posturing for a better deal.
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