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Starbucks launches record label
Building on the success of its iTunes-based "Hear Music" page, Starbucks has decided to launch its own record label. Hear Music will sign its own artists, and sell its recordings through Starbucks stores and iTunes. According to the AP, Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment, says the company has focused on the success of its iTunes page. One can only presume that in addition to the standard RIAA/Simon Cowell approach[1] to signing musicians, Starbucks will also provide a small percentage of highly-decaffeinated Fair Trade Certified™ recordings, where lucky musicians will receive equitable royalties if ordered in Grande or Venti sizes. Because "Medium" and "Large" talents do not exist at Starbucks. [1] You have potential but frankly I was bored.[2] [2] I really felt your performance. You made it your own.[3] [3] Dawg. Dawg. Dawg.
Major record labels pondering DRM-free downloads?
Details are admittedly scant on this one, and we must remember that these disclosures are coming out of France, but nevertheless, word on the street is that "at least one of the four major record companies could move toward the sale of unrestricted digital files in the MP3 format within the coming months." Reportedly, executives of several anonymous technology companies that are meeting at Midem are pondering the move to unrestricted digital music downloads, which just years ago wasn't even a remote possibility. As expected, industry pressures are likely at the forefront here, as digital music sales, although 80-percent stronger than the year before, grew slower than they did in 2005 and failed to compensate for the decline in physical disc sales. Of course, we already knew that EMI Music gave (somewhat) of a green light to the idea, and VirginMega already has the groundwork laid for DRM-free MP3s to be loosed in France, but unrestricted, impartial major label music files flying around on US shores would certainly be a shift from days past. Granted, a few insiders are quite skeptical that these whispers will lead to actual results, and advise to not count on seeing DMR-free tunes for sale here anytime soon. Welcome to the "wait and see" game, folks.
Sirius in the clear for S50 sales
After a little legal scare with the four major music labels, Sirius can finally market its S50 music player without fear of legal consequences. The labels had argued that the player's recording capabilities were a violation of previous agreements, and had threatened to take Sirius to court to halt the sale of the player. EMI was the last to come around, just giving their blessing today, following Warner, Vivendi and Sony-BMG who agreed to the player last month. Unfortunately, things still sound tense between Sirius and the labels. No details of the agreement have been divulged, but it only applies to the S50 for now, and with XM and Sirius coming up for renewal of their music licenses, neither are out of the woods yet.
