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Europe approves Universal - EMI merger, cements the dominance of the 'big three'
The European Union has signed off on Universal's $1.9 billion purchase of EMI music, provided that it sells off two-thirds of the fallen giant's assets to comply with competition regulations. The most notable jewel on the auction block is label Parlophone, home of the early Beatles records, Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Kylie. Chiefs added the conditions in the hope of preventing the new mega-corporation from gaining too much market share, but given that Sony (which bought EMI's publishing arm) and Warner Music are its only real competitors -- it's sealed the trio as the only guests at the top table of the music industry, problematic for anyone looking to found an iTunes or Spotify rival and doesn't fancy playing by their rules.
Sony BMG will reportedly offer DRM-free music
In a move that could finally sound the death knoll for the universally-hated digital leech known as DRM, Sony BMG Music will reportedly become the last of the top four major labels to offer unprotected tracks for download. Citing people familiar with the arrangement, BusinessWeek.com reports that full details of the label's plan will be released "in the coming weeks," although at least part of its catalog will supposedly be available without DRM sometime this quarter. If this does indeed pan out, Sony would follow EMI, Vivendi Universal, and Warner in moving towards a much more consumer-friendly music distribution model.[Thanks, Mack S.]
Vivendi wants bigger cut of iTunes pie
Poor, poor Vivendi Universal, Apple is really pulling a fast one on them (which I assume is why they didn't renew their iTunes contract). Vivendi CEO Jean-Bernard Levy said that the contract between Apple and content providers is 'indecent.' It would seem that Vivendi Universal, and other content providers, only get .70 Euros out of the .99 Euro price of tracks on iTunes. It is enough to make you shed a tear, right?I imagine that Levy will only be happy when Apple pays Vivendi 2 euros for each .99 euro track as well as a few euros for each iPod sold (it worked for the Zune!). My question to Mr. Levy is this: out of that .70 euro that you get from Apple for one of your artist's work, how much is going to the artist? I'm betting that amount is the truly indecent one.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Vivendi Games buys Wanako, world trembles
Wanako Games, makers of the Live Arcade shooter, Assault Heroes, has been acquired by Vivendi Games. Given the (relative) praise that Assault Heroes received, the deal makes sense. Also, it has already been announced that Sierra Online -- a division of Vivendi Games and Ross Erickson's new home -- and Wanako are set to deliver another Arcade title 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures. It seems that both parties must have synced quite nicely, as representatives from both companies seem to share the same vision. Said Ed Zorbist, president of Sierra Online, "Wanako exudes the commitment to quality and a passion for developing great games that we ourselves strongly believe in."Alright. Yes. Good good. Now, can we please get to work on fixing Assault Heroes' co-op problems?[Via Joystiq. Thanks, J. Goodwin]
Some really shifty shots
Xboxyde graces us with some new shots of Vivendi's 4th dimension bending shooter, Timeshift. The screens show off some of the nifty backdrops and some decent weapon models -- not spectacular, though this is expected from what was originally an Xbox title. Hopefully the final gameplay lives up to its promise (it should if E3 was any indication).
