Apple says iTunes LPs don't cost labels $10,000, will be available to indies
By Donald Melanson 
posted October 13th 2009 7:14PM
posted October 13th 2009 7:14PM
Well, that $10,000 "production fee" Apple was said to be charging labels for iTunes LPs certainly seemed a little over the top in more ways than one, and it looks like the company has now come out and denied that it's the case at all, saying flat out that "there is no production fee charged by Apple." What's more, it also says that iTunes LPs will in fact be available to indie labels, noting that it's "releasing the open specs for iTunes LP soon, allowing both major and indie labels to create their own." Of course, that premium price for the iTunes LPs themselves is still totally in place, although the open specs could potentially at least lead to some more interesting options if the labels decide to really run with 'em.
[Via Macworld]
[Via Macworld]
There must be, oh, at least three people will give a damn about this news.
I guess you're right. I mean, I sort of care to find out who was lying about the cost but it doesn't ultimately matter since I'll never buy any of this crap.
If I want album art, I'll buy the CD. I still don't know if I'd like this enhanced album business.
You're assuming that selling CDs will remain profitable enough to make them available to people like you. I give it one decade.
*cough* Vinyl *cough*
Well, vinyl is still produced nowadays.. so. Anyway, I'd say these digital booklets and artwork are a great idea.
Came to me when I couldn't find the CD that I wanted in stores. I settled for a 256kbps album which still sounds amazing with the PDF booklet. That's good enough for me. Besides, how long before we get ALAC albums on iTunes? Then there won't be much of a reason to get a CD anymore.
itunes LPs should include lossless files.. that would make it all make a lot more sense to me
this is for fans. Regular people only buy one song and call it a day.
So one group says they were told by Apple it would be $10,000 and not open to indie labels, Apple says it is not true. One is lying, one is not, as there really is no grey area here. Which is telling the truth?
Ask Google.
Well, it'll be clear soon enough, once Apple either releases the specs or sweeps it under the rug.
My money is on the official statement by the company itself rather than a quote from a blogger who asked around. Especially when the blogger is from Gizmodo :P
Jim, now I am really confused. You said Ask Google, does that mean ask.com, or google.com?
Bing-o.
I had a meeting with a band I do graphics for and an Apple rep about this 'Cocktail' stuff, and I left under the impression that by 'Cocktail' using all web tech, anyone who had knowledge of the stuff could make a package. Apple did want to have several packages from several bands available for launch, and maybe this number came up somewhere (not in my meeting) as a quoted amount for preparing one of the first round of packages with Apple's help. But the tech involved is like a clever webpage, which also makes me wonder why it doesn't work on the iPhone and iPod Touch. Which makes it not quite there, in my opinion.
ask Jeeves.
if you watched the Keynote, Jobs says that the LPs would be made by the labels, so they can give them the same artistic touch they give to their music, making each one unique etc.
Hm... Interesting. I think Apple ...
FOURTH!!!!!!1111oneeleven
Oh, c'mon dudes, it was a joke! :)
Is this the same type of denying that keeps the Google Voice App in limbo?
I followed the tutorial online on how to make your own itunes LP.
I made a LCD sound system,Green Day & Jay-Z.
Its pretty easy once you everything lined up.
All right, another negative Apple news, let's all jump on it!!!!111!!!111
Wait, it isn't? Oh, gosh darnnit. Well, there's always tomorrow.
"releasing the open specs for iTunes LP soon, allowing both major and indie labels to create their own."
Am I missing something but they didnt say anything about you making your own and it being on the iTunes store; they could release the specs and still not allow you in iTunes LP section of the iTunes store.
http://ituneslp.net/
Indie artists don't need Apple to make an iTunes LP. Just as long as the user has the tracks tagged properly, they can create their own LPs and distribute them to users.
It's Apple being Apple ... saying one thing and doing another. "we didn't reject google voice ... we are just not letting it in the store" is a very good example. Apple lies to it's consumer base every day in their advertising ... The Brits even pulled some Apple spots off the air becasue of it. No surprises here.
Exactly. I mean, we all know corporations lie all the time, as that is part of marketing. However, with recent revelations like the whole "we didn't reject the app, it's still under review" fiasco, my first instinct is to look in Apple's direction when the lying flag is raised.
if you want to talk about a liar you need to look no further than Microsoft. Look at the most recent of their stunts, deceiving T-Mobile pretending that the Danger servers were fully staffed with qualified professionals while in truth they were keeping the platform on life support with a shoestring budget. Result: Sidekick servers crashed, lost all data permanently.
Apple should use iWeb to produce LPs. A few more gadgets to allow users to get away from the presets. They should allow users to roll their own and link them to the album.
Competition? Not really just more free advertising and creating a larger community.
LOL look at all these MS fanboys here still running their mouths off like they know something.
I'm not sure what "premium price for the iTunes LP themselves" you're referring to. My Alice in Chains iTunes LP was 9.99, and my Muse iTLP was 12.99, same as the preorder price before iTLP was announced, and the usual price for albums that included the "booklet" and videos. Could it be better? Sure. I'd love to see them on my iPhone. Lossless audio? Yes please. But iTunes LP is the best thing so far that has happened to digital music.
If you want to point out Microsoft lying you don't have to go further than "Vista is the" followed by how wonderful and innovative and fast it is...