Microsoft probably not getting its own music subscription service anytime soon
posted Oct 4th 2005 11:40AM
Microsoft might have created the DRM that enabled Napster, Yahoo, and RealNetworks to all offer all-you-can-download online subscription music services (Napster To Go, Yahoo Music Unlimited, and Rhapsody To Go), but it doesn't look like they'll actually be offering one of their own anytime soon. Apparently talks between the company and the four major labels — EMI, Warner Music Group, Vivendi Universal, and Sony BMG — totally broke down this past Friday over Microsoft's reluctance to agree to labels' demand of royalties of between $6 to $8 per user per month. That'd be in line with what the other subscription services are ponying up, we're guessing that Microsoft promised to deliver a huge number of subscribers and in return wanted some sort of volume discount, something which the labels likely balked at since they're convinced that everyone (including and especially Apple) is already taking them for a ride.
Why did a computer software company just assume it would be able to do a music download service in the first place?
Hmm...The two evil empires couldn't get past their own greed and come to an agreement over royalties? GASP!
Why did a computer software company just assume it would be able to do a music download service in the first place?
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Huh? Because that's what happens when you can illegally leverage anything you want through Windows...
DUH!!!
Who cares if it's good.. they'll cram it down your throat until you forget there are alternatives.
Are you new?!
all I can say is "bahahahaha"
everybody gets greedy and guess what? NOBODY WINS!
This is the digital future, dudes.
Poster #1, I would assume a software company decided they could do a music download service for the same reason they decided they could do a game platform. For that matter, I would assume that it is pretty much the same reason a computer company (or five) decided they could make a music player.
Because there are some people out there whose lives are pretty much run by their brand loyalty, and who will run out and buy whatever product is put out by their favorite company. Then they will sing the praises of whatever the product is, no matter how far outside the core competence of the company that product is.
Mind you, this comment could apply to Microsoft, Dell, Apple, Gateway, or Sony. There are plenty of unthinking fanboys to go around.
Doesn't yahoo have a 4.99/month music service? I doubt they are paying $6+ per user...
brickballs
I thought Yahoo were running at a loss just to snare subscribers.
#1 What the fuck do you think Apple Computer is. Just a hardware company? That would beg the question of who makes OS X that all the fans give raving reviews of. Apple made a music download service. Why can't Microsoft. And I say this speaking in terms of business, not how competent each is. I would never use MSN Music unless they came out with gift cards I could buy at the local store. Though I have heard the songs were in 256 kbps wma. Certainly much better than Apple's 128 kbps AAC. Even then, I am an audiophile and prefer to get CDs and rip them into a lossless format.
Nick