“After launching in a blaze of publicity last year, the Australian arm of Apple’s iTunes store has finally agreed to sell the music of major-label behemoth Sony BMG,” Andrew Murfett reports for The Age. “The move further solidifies the music industry’s embracing of the digital world. The agreement ends a long-running dispute between Sony and Apple that has affected the Australian and Japanese versions of the world’s most popular music download store. It also means that the 1 million-plus Australian iPod owners can now legally download the music of some of the biggest names in pop.”
Murfett reports, “Sony BMG Australia’s general manager of business strategy and human resources, Emmanuel Candi, says the deal was settled at the company’s New York offices late last week. He also confirmed that local artists were incensed that their music was unavailable. ‘It’s fair to say a number of artists were keen to see iTunes being able to stock our release.’ Rob Small, a spokesman for Apple Australia, says his company was ‘delighted to have them on board.'”
Murfett reports, “A sticking point between the two parties was Sony’s concerns over the structure of the site’s pricing. iTunes charges just one price, $1.69, for all individual tracks.”
Full article here.
Note that Sony BMG songs on Apple Australian iTunes Music Store are AUS$1.69 which tells us that Sony BMG caved completely and needs Apple far more than Apple needs them.
Advertisements:
• MacBook Pro. The first Mac notebook built upon Intel Core Duo with iLife ’06, Front Row and built-in iSight. Starting at $1999. Free shipping.
• iMac. Twice as amazing — Intel Core Duo, iLife ’06, Front Row media experience, Apple Remote, built-in iSight. Starting at $1299. Free shipping.
• iMac and MacBook Pro owners: Apple USB Modem. Easily connect to the Internet using dial-up service. $49.00.
• iPod Radio Remote. Listen to FM radio on your iPod and control everything with a convenient wired remote. Just $49.
• iPod. 15,000 songs. 25,000 photos. 150 hours of video. The new iPod. 30GB and 60GB models start at just $299. Free shipping.
• Connect iPod to your television set with the iPod AV Cable. Just $19.
Related MacDailyNews article:
Apple adds Sony-BMG content to Australian iTunes Music Store – January 17, 2006
Weird story line. Instead of iTMS “has agreed”, which makes it sound like iTMS was being obstinate; shouldn’t it say that Sony agreed to sell for one price, finally?
I hope your friends in Australia are enjoying this moment!
“After launching in a blaze of publicity last year, the Australian arm of Apple’s iTunes store has finally agreed to sell the music of major-label behemoth Sony BMG,”
Sounds like someone is putting the cart before the horse.
As to your “Take” on this article: My Take on your Take is “So What”. In other words it was not a very constructive comment.
Good on ya, mate!
There’s more to this… Sony also wants/wanted access to the Fairplay DRM and they were using this “bargaining chip” to try and get it. We probably won’t know whether they were successful or not for some time. But if in a few months you see a “walkman” or home stereo equipment that can decode Apple’s Fairplay DRM then, well, you know where it came from…
I like Australian honey’s.
There also could be a compromise agreement that gradually phases in some sort of tiered pricing. Only time will tell if Sony BMG (and the other labels wanting price increases) really had to cave in…
OY OY OY!!
HAHAHAHAHA…. Sony… What a bunch of idiots… This whole stonewalling thing was somebody’s failed wet dream…
You got yourselves Steamrolled Sony…
Apple could afford to wait… Sony couldn’t…
MDN: Tried… as in Sony has “Tried” and failed.
I’ve seen those Sony BMG caves. That’s where they keep Ozzy’s bats.
Re: jealous Yank –
“No ‘honeypie’ today, momma?”
– “Exit 57”, Comedy Central, 1995
> Jealous Yank:
> I like Australian honey’s.
then you’ll like Australian wicked weasels too…
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
http://wickedweasel.com/
(MW: basic)