Looney Zunes: What does UMG want from Microsoft?
,----[ Quote ]
| As Microsoft gets ready to launch its iPod-rival Zune next week, it's
| agreed to pay Universal Music Group a fee - believed to be a dollar
| per device - to compensate Universal artists.
|
| [...]
|
| Why did Microsoft volunteer a payment when it didn't need to?
|
| [...]
|
| Optimists wondered if the UMG deal entitled Zune owners to do more witht
| heir Universal songs - for example, exchange them more freely between
| Zune owners.
|
| (Again, Microsoft's refusal "to comment on speculation" has only led to
| more speculation.)
`----
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/09/microsoft_universal_zune_fee/
More of a personal speculation... they might want to impose a Universal
Studio 'tax' on iTunes/pod users, much as they want to raise the cost of
Linux. IP/patent/royalties in the case of Linux and piracy/tax in the case
of Apple. They give tactical precedence, motivating UMG to approach Apple
with demands.
|
|
