Negotiations between Apple and record labels turning ugly

Fine ask for more money, but you sure ain't getting a dime from me!

ROFL.

Quote:

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"We're not greedy! We want more money!"

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OK, Apple has sold over 1 Billion songs at 99¢. I think that if Apple faces any more pressure from the heads of the music studios that they should just close iTunes and walk away with all the chips on the table. The studios would not ever be able to re-create what Apple has accomplished with iTunes. If the songs were $2 a pop, does anybody think that iTunes would still be around? Their service cost them nothing except for the bandwidth to provide it. After you factor in the cost of R&D for all the different iPods and iTunes itself, I'm sure that Apple has at least made a couple of dollars profit. I myself have never owned an iPod or used iTunes, but 1 Billion downloads says a lot; like it or not.

I agree. I simply feel that with all the investments they've made, and all the legalities they've gone through to make this what it is; it's completely out of place for the industry to suddenly say it's unfair, or that they need a bigger cut. They aren't losing anything here; they're not investing anything at all. They're basically making money for EXISTING. They don't have to print a disc, a case, or inserts for these cds now; and a dollar per song is, on average about what most people pay for the cd at their local target or wal-mart, anyways. It's even less in stores, for older albums. They make MORE money there. I understand that apple makes a certain amount per song, and then some goes to the industry. But when you account for all physical manufacturing costs, as well as distribution costs, and middle man costs incurred by the transferrance to a third party to sell (Target, Sam Goody, etc.) this seems like a much easier, more cost effective manner of selling their music. The music industry is making even MORE profit this way; with less effort. Demanding more money is a horrible example of someone seeing that they've been outdone, and demanding more, even when they're already receiving a better cut of profits than they had on their own, without having to do anything for them. They've already made an agreement; and the bottom line is, why would they cut out of this, when they've got such a good thing? If they were to try and pull out, apple can make sure that their download formats wouldn't be supported by iPods. And good luck making a new service that's successful without iPod support. I say, let one or two of them pull out, and see how they like their profits. That way they can shut their mouths about wanting more money.

They want more money and are unwiling to work for it they would rather lose Itunes than make a legit buck...

I don't know; but I don't suspect Apple is willing to cave in. If one label pulls their tracks; they'll lose money. And even if they launch their own download system; they can't compete with iTunes, and it will show quickly. So even if they were to leave; they'd go back, because Apple has created more than a function; they've become a commercially recognized icon. For the major masses; iTunes and iPod *IS* mp3 downloading and listening. There might be a rocky trip for a few months; but this is a new empire that's not tumbling any time soon.

handsom Ture but at the same time Stve jobs could seethe damage that it would doand insted of a slow death he could walk away..and they would coemback becuse they need that money more .

I think it's quite funny that the iPod gets all the exposure and focus from record companies and the media, and Creative, iRiver, Rome etc. get left alone.

Hey, its all about greed. The studios sat back and watched Apple develop something new. Once it was up and running and making a profit then the greedy studios move in and want to get a piece of the action. Pure greed and nothing more. As has been said, its all about the money. These studios didn't spend a dime developing Ipods or the systems to deliever the music yet they think they should have a piece of the action. How much money do these guys think they should have anyway? Them make millions off the backs of poor slobs who are paying too much already for music. Are the studio managers part of the mob or something? They sure act like it.