Led Zeppelin embraces iTunes, Eminem sues

It looks like Apple has more than just 3 billion songs sold to celebrate, as it's now managed to bring longtime hold-outs Led Zepplin into the iTunes fold. The band isn't quite going all out, however, with it instead simply offering greatest hits of sorts called "Mothership," which will include 'Stairway to Heaven', 'Whole Lotta Love,' 'Dazed and Confused' and other songs personally selected Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones. Look for it to be available on November 12th. In other iTunes news, Apple appears to have found itself on Eminem's bad side (again), with the rapper and his music publisher now suing the company over, you guessed it, alleged copyright violations. As The Detroit News reports, Eminem's music publisher and copyright manager are claiming that they never actually authorized Universal to offer Eminem's music on iTunes in the first place, and they're now asking Apple to cease and desist its reproduction and distribution. Not surprisingly Apple doesn't appear to be quite ready to comply with that, although it's so far staying mum on the matter.

Read - Reuters, "Apple says iTunes sales top 3 billion songs"
Read - The Observer, "Led Zeppelin join the net generation"
Read - The Detroit News, "Eminem suit targets Apple" [Via AppleInsider]

[Rob @ Jul 31st 2007 2:42PM]

Wait, so why is Mr Marshall Mathers getting all bent out of shape with Apple? He should be going after Universal first for giving it to Apple to make it available in iTunes. And why is he all pissy about it??? He's getting paid too.

What a little freaking child. The nerve of these so called "artists" to complain when they're getting paid too. I'd complain if I wasn't getting paid.

Here's you lollipop too. So childish.

[Tim @ Jul 31st 2007 2:45PM]

Well, you know when you film a commercial promoting your "special edition" album of tracks on iTunes, you should, well...

you know...

realize you're selling your tracks on iTunes.

[ekwmin @ Jul 31st 2007 3:08PM]

Probably because Apple is more inclined to work with his lawyers. Universal couldn't care less, big deal another artist sues record company. Nothing new there everyone already hates the record companies. On the other hand people automatically expect Apple to be artist's best friend. So the negative publicity will work against Apple, they'll want to bury it at soon as possible. Now the questions is will Apple sue Universal? That might be tough since at this point Universal is unwilling to sign a long term contract. This could further strain the relationship. I personally think Mr. Mathers is smart. If he is able to settle with Apple and walk away with a direct contract, he will get the bigger chunk of the pie. Why go after Universal for 9 cents per download when he can get a direct contract with Apple where he can get as much as 70 cents per download. Chances are that he really doesn't want iTunes to stop selling his music, rather he's trying to get the upper hand in the bargaining table. This could be bad news for recording companies.

[Rob @ Jul 31st 2007 4:20PM]

However, although I agree with your comments, he has no power to deal directly with Apple because chances are, he may not own the masters. So, he can't make a deal in that aspect. He may, I hope, own the publishing rights, but not the masters. The only thing he can offer is live albums or re-recordings. That's why I loved the Ray Charles movie "Ray" when he talks about owning his masters.

[KR @ Jul 31st 2007 2:44PM]

I understand sending Apple a cease and desist, but shouldn't Em be suing Universal instead?

[Nathan @ Jul 31st 2007 3:50PM]

My guess would be somewhere in his contract it says he can't sue Universal for anything... ever.

[JON BLAST @ Jul 31st 2007 2:47PM]

As much as I love Zepp, I dont understand why they dont allow Itunes to have ALL of their music on. They whored out "Rock N Roll" for a Cadillac commercial, what's the problem with Itunes?

[Eric @ Jul 31st 2007 2:50PM]

Maybe they love their Caddy's but hate Steve Jobs and Mac's?

[Maestro @ Jul 31st 2007 2:51PM]

Agree. In fact, what's with any of the hold outs? Do you notice that most of the hold outs are acts that have not had a hit in a long time. Zeppelin, Bob Seger, Garth Brooks, The Beatles...I mean get with the times...

[blackfeather @ Jul 31st 2007 2:57PM]

No - apparently they were just waiting for John Paul Jones to chime in with his vote. He's been silent on the issue for a long time.

[blackfeather @ Jul 31st 2007 3:02PM]

Nevermind.. I'm an IDIOT.. i meant "John Bonham"

[JinKazama @ Jul 31st 2007 2:58PM]

Mr. Mathers needs to read his record deal. If he did he would realize that Universal owns his music not him. So they have the right to do whatever they want with it. Suing apple will get him nowhere.

It sounds outrageous but that's basically how every record deal is structured...in exchange for promoting your music, publishing it, and getting it into stores the record company becomes the sole owners and proprietors of your "masters" i.e the original recordings.

[Geoff @ Jul 31st 2007 3:19PM]

Maybe in the 50s and 60s. But that generally isn't the case now unless you sign a horrible record contract.

[JinKazama @ Jul 31st 2007 3:35PM]

You are mistaken Geoff, not much has changed since the 50s and 60s as far as how record companies make their money from artists. Unfortunately record contracts are still written this way and many artists still sign them. All those upstarts who may eventually become stars are usually locked into this same deal.

[anonymouspimp @ Jul 31st 2007 3:44PM]

I could all but guarantee that someone in Eminem's position owns the rights to his music. It's the NEW artists who don't have the control of their music. They will eventually gain control of their music if they sell enough records, usually.

Someone like Eminem would simply threaten to go to a different label ... which he could easily do. Even if Universal owned the rights to his music before he left (which I seriously doubt at this point) they still would be insane to let someone like him and his record label go to another.

My understanding is it goes:
Universal Records --> Interscope Records--> Shady Records --> G-Unit Records --> Whatever else...

Maybe there are labels inbetween... but Universal doesn't want to lose that money. Plus... being the rap genre... not a verse would go by without Eminem or 50 cent slamming Universal and their executives... which is bad for business. They'd probably make a whole album just to slam Universal Records.

The record industry is extremely cut-throat. I'd say trust me... but you know... lol

[Geoff @ Jul 31st 2007 3:48PM]

Than please post a cite for your claim, cause everything I have read on the subject is quite the contrary to what you are claiming. I could very well be wrong, but I would like to see some proof.

[JinKazama @ Jul 31st 2007 4:47PM]

Don't have any links to provide proof Geoff, just personal experience from being in a band that drew some interest from a couple lables, a few of them major.

Maybe we weren't good enough to get the "good" record contract but everything that got placed in front of us was basically structured the way I described above.

[waLLy @ Jul 31st 2007 3:13PM]

Way to connect with the generation and culture you ascribe to be speaking to...

[Cody @ Jul 31st 2007 3:14PM]

Hopefully this will mean Zeppelin will hook us Napster users up, too.

[HektikLyfe @ Jul 31st 2007 3:19PM]

I like Eminem's talent but he hasn't done anything lately. Is this simply a ploy to keep himself in the news? He's talked about downloading MP3's in his own music. Perhaps it is his label doing the speaking for him.

[Ray-- @ Jul 31st 2007 3:25PM]

wow thank goodness they finally stopped holding out on iTunes... *now* I can finally find their MP3s on the internet....

[Camperton @ Jul 31st 2007 7:53PM]

Your sarcasm is duly noted.

[CharlieX @ Jul 31st 2007 3:26PM]

Someone needs a bitch slap. !slap!

Let's see... #3 music retailer in America..... helping you sell your increasingly dated music.... I don't know, maybe you WOULD make more money selling CD-R's on the streetcorner in Detroit? Freaking retard.

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Jul 31st 2007 3:59PM]

Eminem's just looking for more cash. As someone mentioned above - the man's been in an iTunes commercial... how is that not validating what Apple is doing?

[Michael @ Jul 31st 2007 4:27PM]

Yeah wasn't a eminem song used in a apple commercial? WOW

[kettwith2ts @ Jul 31st 2007 5:00PM]

It makes me mad when artists get all bent out of shape over music distribution. If you look at the Top Grossing Acts (of any year) you will find that most of thier money came from playing live shows. The more people that have your music, the more concert tickets you will sell. So I ask you: Why do Eminem and a host of other artists have a problem with making money? The royalties from Apple are a drop in the bucket. Get of your ass and go play live music!

[kagai @ Jul 31st 2007 5:13PM]

Is Marshall really that hard up for cash?

[Galls @ Jul 31st 2007 5:49PM]

Well seeing as how there has not been a single great song in the past 30 years. Maybe this will let kids realize the commercial meaningless crap they are listening to.

Personally I spend much more on vinyls then I do on any digital form of music.

New Love LP blows everything away.

[Jason Brown @ Jul 31st 2007 10:49PM]

emminem has been working lots just not as a solo act and also he and dr.dre are major producers. just watch a lot of the biggest acts and their videos with eminem and dr.dre making appearances and mentioned in shoutouts. the biggest rap name was found by eminem after dr.dre found eminem. with dr.dres past dealings with bad contracts I would doubt eminem doesn't own at least his most recent releases. his world is much bigger then most people think with such a huge group of big time artists in his corner including those bigger then him right now many of which most people would never have guessed. I agree he is not that great now but his first 2 albums rap or not were incredible especially the self titles album. Also he is not the only artist who has or is going after apple and other companies like them who sell music online. this is old news just with a different name.

[suntiger @ Aug 1st 2007 12:32AM]

Okay, you know what? I've shut up on this long enough. Donald, listen to me here, please:

The whole "with him, with them, with it, with her" thing - for God's sake, STOP IT! It's an exceedingly awkward way to tie together poorly constructed fragments.

In the second sentence of this post: "The band isn't quite going all out, however, with it instead simply offering greatest hits of sorts called "Mothership," which will include" etc etc etc, you don't even need "with it". Take it out and the sentence remains 100% grammatically correct but becomes around 500% less awkward.

Second part: "In other iTunes news, Apple appears to have found itself on Eminem's bad side (again), with the rapper and his music publisher now suing the company over, you guessed it, alleged copyright violations." Okay, this is borderline awkward, but correct. Try using "as the rapper and his publisher are now suing" or rephrase the sentence instead.

Come on, man. You write for a living. Take the time to make it readable, please.

[Jam @ Aug 1st 2007 7:15AM]

I know Robert Plant his son went to my school!!

[Erik @ Aug 1st 2007 1:09PM]

iTunes owns Eminem! Thats what bothers him.

[tekdroid @ Aug 1st 2007 5:04PM]

iTunes rapes artists. See what Prince did with his latst "planet earth" album? That is what should be happening.

Provided the artist is smart enough to not give up their rights (and masters) to a record company, there are various channels for distribution now:

-online (royalty-free formats like Ogg Vorbis and FLAC guarantee mucho income for artists)
-negotiating deals with mass-merchants directly (if you are 'big' enough to matter to them)
-letterbox spam mail-outs combined with online presence (yes, letterbox spam is still king in many ways, to build up local presence of an unknown act)
-selling out the back of your car, doing live shows, etc
-using record companies for distribution only (if you can even trust them)

Artists negotiating deals for their OWN behalf is what should be happening, simply speaking. The advent of great open-source formats (and dirt cheap physical CD/DVD manufacture) means NOTHING need be going to entities eating away from their pocket, as long as some work is put in to the online presence.

[jeremy @ Aug 3rd 2007 9:35PM]

From- Eminem Presents: The Re-Up
Song:Public Enemy #1


...I might be walking blindfold into a typhoon
I might be seeing rockets light up the night sky
Right outside the window of my living room
And if they do you can say good night and by-bye to them iTunes
If I don't try to record as much before I do
The plan is to have as many in the can as I can
As I stand before you in this booth of walking dead man...

[jeremy @ Aug 3rd 2007 9:35PM]

From- Eminem Presents: The Re-Up
Song:Public Enemy #1


...I might be walking blindfold into a typhoon
I might be seeing rockets light up the night sky
Right outside the window of my living room
And if they do you can say good night and by-bye to them iTunes
If I don't try to record as much before I do
The plan is to have as many in the can as I can
As I stand before you in this booth of walking dead man...

[Vizzue @ Oct 15th 2007 7:48PM]

Sad to see Zeppelin finally cross into the digital domain. After refusing to put out singles back in the day, and focusing their efforts on albums as a whole, I don't like to see them selling out like this, letting people download track by track, especially from a GREATEST HITS album, which I also detest. They should have stuck it out. If they're out to make money, they could do a single (sold out) tour, and make a ton. This isn't the way to do it.

[docsharp01 @ Mar 31st 2008 9:28PM]

Excellent article and comments about Led Zeppelin, iTunes and Eminem.
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