Japanese artists signing directly with iTunes

I have to tip my hat to Japanese musicians, as they're getting fed up with the record labels' standoff with iTunes and signing direct contracts with iTunes to publish their music. Even after all this time, Japanese labels such as Sony, BMG Japan and Warner Music Japan still haven't reached any kind of agreement with iTunes, and some are predicting the labels are simply playing a waiting game since Apple's original contracts with labels, at least in the US, are up in 2006.

[via iPodnn]