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DOJ & EU investigate Apple over possible anti-competitive behaviour in music industry
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Everything Goes
04-05-2015
The US Department of Justice is investigating Apple over possible anti-competitive behaviour in the music industry this time. Apple have been found guilty before over eBook price fixing. Whilst the investigation is at a very early stage and they have not been found guilty of anything the parallel EU investigation does make you wonder.

Apple are alleged to be pressuring record companies into ending free music streaming services such as Spotify and they are even alleged to tired to stop Universal Music Group allowing its songs on YouTube.

Apple will relaunch Beats music streaming service shortly which may explain a lot.

Whether any of this is true remains to be seen.

http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/4/854...tify-streaming

http://www.macrumors.com/2015/05/04/...-free-spotify/
alanwarwic
05-05-2015
"Sources also indicated that Apple offered to pay YouTube’s music licensing fee to Universal Music Group if the label stopped allowing its songs on YouTube"

"Apple has been pushing major music labels to force streaming services like Spotify to abandon their free tiers,"

Maybe Apple's problem is that arriving on the streaming music scene late, along with a premium price might not work, so any reshaping really helps.
Stiggles
05-05-2015
Oh dear. I do hope they aren't as stupid to do something like this.

Although after the book debacle, it wouldn't surprise me.
Aye Up
05-05-2015
If both sides of the pond are investigating then it must be something substantive. Having read the articles mentioned it gives pause for thought, I suppose thats the problem for Apple in this area, they can't readily buy Spotify on the cheap so they try to shut it down.

I think the other thing to consider is Universal, several other labels and partners have a vested interest in Spotify given they have shares of differing sizes. Spotify hasn't got to where it is without troubles and legal complaints. As it stands it is currently the only viable premium music service out there which does offer some return to artists however much they hate it. Beats music was never anything special, given it only had licence in the states, it makes the jump across the pond and to the orient that much harder. Spotify has had pretty much 5 years headstart give or take, its now integrating with hardware, cementing its dominance further. Deezer, Rdio, Pandora are other options but neither of the have the market access Spotify does.

Why Apple paid $2Bn dollars for Beats is beyond me, they could have easily setup their own subscription service for a fraction of that cost. Apple is doing what it always does when comes to competition, it either buys up the company or waves it's willy and throws money at music partners. If this does result in a full scale inquiry, then that $2Bn they paid will worth sweet fa and the brand would be tarnished as a result.
kidspud
05-05-2015
Originally Posted by Aye Up:
“
Why Apple paid $2Bn dollars for Beats is beyond me, they could have easily setup their own subscription service for a fraction of that cost. Apple is doing what it always does when comes to competition, it either buys up the company or waves it's willy and throws money at music partners. If this does result in a full scale inquiry, then that $2Bn they paid will worth sweet fa and the brand would be tarnished as a result.”

Most city analysts think the hardware side of beats was worth a considerable amount of money. They got the streaming service on the cheap.
alanwarwic
06-05-2015
Bloomberg puts it a different way.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...l-make-you-pay
"Apple Inc. has asked Florence and the Machine and more than a dozen other artists for exclusive deals to promote a revamped Beats Music, and persuade people to ante up for what they’re accustomed to getting pretty much for free."

I'm not quite sure 'headline acts' rally appeals to paid subscribers, who by the nature of paying are more likely big music listeners.
alanwarwic
07-05-2015
Sensible timing for a Spotify message about Apple tax.
http://iphone.appleinsider.com/artic...ti-competitive
""They control iOS to give themselves a price advantage," one of the sources said. "Thirty percent doesn't go to any artist, it doesn't go to us, it goes to Apple.""

In the comments a "Either allow in all sorts of competition, or, Apple has to simply get out of these types of businesses -- ebooks, streaming, etc. " signifies where that bit might, or at least should end up.
alanwarwic
30-08-2015
I bet those exclusive deals are enoughto make Bob Geldorf choke

http://pagesix.com/2015/08/28/tidal-...le-music-deal/
d123
31-08-2015
Originally Posted by alanwarwic:
“I bet those exclusive deals are enoughto make Bob Geldorf choke

http://pagesix.com/2015/08/28/tidal-...le-music-deal/”

It's not like Tidal wouldn't have done exactly the same if Apple had tried to stream one of their exclusive artists.

You would have to be totally naive or totally anti-Apple to believe otherwise...oh, it's alanwarwic, no need to explain any further.
swordman
31-08-2015
Got to be careful that 2 song charity performance for deprived kids could dent that multi billion dollar bank balance, far better to let the kids sort themselves.

Get a job bloody spongers ... Heres to profits hooray.
d123
31-08-2015
Originally Posted by swordman:
“Got to be careful that 2 song charity performance for deprived kids could dent that multi billion dollar bank balance, far better to let the kids sort themselves.

Get a job bloody spongers ... Heres to profits hooray.”

Perhaps read the link properly?

Apple did not object to the artist performing at the charity event, they objected to his performance being streamed by their competitor, Tidal.
swordman
31-08-2015
Did they not object wow, nice of them. I didn't realise he is actually an employee of apple who can also decide where he performs and for who.

Your support is totally justified, especially as apple allowed him to sing at this charity event. Thanks for clearing that up.
ThisGuysGood
31-08-2015
Anyone ever noticed this section of DS seems slightly Anti Apple. Yet Apple sales are going through the roof, they are selling more phones than ever.

Are users in this section just out of touch?
kidspud
31-08-2015
Originally Posted by ThisGuysGood:
“Anyone ever noticed this section of DS seems slightly Anti Apple. Yet Apple sales are going through the roof, they are selling more phones than ever.

Are users in this section just out of touch?”

Not this section, just one person obsessed with trying (and failing) to spin everything about apple as negative, and his sidekick who has appeared back on the scene.

And of course they are out of touch, have you seen how many posts he gets wrong
alanwarwic
31-08-2015
It seemsfair enough when people like Taylor Swift sign exclusives for paid iTunes but extending thing to exclude live broadcasts that give artsists exposure seems OTT

Could we soon get to the point where standard radio stations get exclusive artists? That is a logical progression.
kidspud
31-08-2015
Originally Posted by alanwarwic:
“It seemsfair enough when people like Taylor Swift sign exclusives for paid iTunes but extending thing to exclude live broadcasts that give artsists exposure seems OTT

Could we soon get to the point where standard radio stations get exclusive artists? That is a logical progression.”

What are the details of the contract he signed with Apple (for which he is being paid a huge sum of money)?

If the artist and radio station think it is worth it, why not.
Roush
31-08-2015
Did this even happen? Drake's manager is saying it was his decision not to allow streaming of Drake's performance and nothing to do with Apple.
alanwarwic
31-08-2015
http://www.theverge.com/2015/8/29/92...ake-livestream

"Tidal maintains that what it said is right. In a statement, Tidal says that it has the paper trail to prove its side, although it's seemingly declining to publish it: "We have all the email receipts and written correspondence that took place with said, blocked performance,"

Apple could call his bluff and ask for it all to be published as he is 'reading them wrong'.


I suppose it could be others guessing what Apple wants. I have always thought that possible in the ebook saga, others acting in ways that they think will help cement further any Apple relationship.
alanwarwic
31-08-2015
Smallprint

http://pagesix.com/2015/08/28/tidal-...259.1440893908

It could well be his own lawyers advising that the 19 million contract would be broken thus giving possible liabilities.
d123
31-08-2015
Originally Posted by swordman:
“I didn't realise he is actually an employee of apple who can also decide where he performs and for who.
”

That's why I suggested you actually went and read the article. It would probably have helped your ignorance on the subject no end.

Quote:
“Drake has an exclusive deal with Apple Music said to be worth up to $19 million.

The deal includes an exclusive album release and to have the “Started From the Bottom” rapper as a guest DJ for iTunes Radio.”

By the way, your sarcastic method of posting makes you look like a deranged juvenile, is that just an online persona?
alanwarwic
31-08-2015
Months back Drake was contracted to turn up at an Apple tech event, which he fulfilled wearing an old Apple employee jacket.
So was he hinting at the constraints on his artistry back then?

Apples way of doing things is straightforward for manufacturers it being a simple case of end product manufacturing. Just maybe the same philosophy is becoming problematic in the creative world of individuals.
swordman
31-08-2015
Originally Posted by d123:
“That's why I suggested you actually went and read the article. It would probably have helped your ignorance on the subject no end.”

We were referring to activity related to charity and helping children. Clearly you feel this is a big no no so I will be led by your clear wisdom from now on

Originally Posted by d123:
“ By the way, your sarcastic method of posting makes you look like a deranged juvenile, is that just an online persona?”

Wow if criticism of a company gets you this wound up and aggressive I can only suggest you seek some of professional help .
kidspud
31-08-2015
Originally Posted by alanwarwic:
“Smallprint

http://pagesix.com/2015/08/28/tidal-...259.1440893908

It could well be his own lawyers advising that the 19 million contract would be broken thus giving possible liabilities.”

What small print

Look on the bright side Tidal has got some much needed publicity.
d123
31-08-2015
Originally Posted by swordman:
“We were referring to activity related to charity and helping children. Clearly you feel this is a big no no so I will be led by your clear wisdom from now on
”

Why is it so hard for you to comprehend basic English? The activity relating to "charity and helping children" went ahead without any issue or problem. Legally the performer has an exclusive contract as to who streams his performances, why do you struggle to understand the 2 separate issues?


Quote:
“Wow if criticism of a company gets you this wound up and aggressive I can only suggest you seek some of professional help .”

Criticise who you like, just try and do it with a bit of maturity and rationality, not like a hysterical adolescent who has just discovered sarcasm.

You should probably also look up the definition of the word "aggressive" as you don't really seem to understand what it means .
swordman
01-09-2015
Yes so go and see my original post on that, you do drag it out don't you

You clearly think insults reinforce your point, they don't, they emphasise its weakness.
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