Google and the Big 4 record labels
p2pnet view Music:- The Big 4 record labels are opening their legs for Google, if one can put it that way.
Warner Music (US, but controlled by Edgar Bronfman jr (right), a Canadian) has already accepted an invitation to consort with the net’s largest and most powerful online advertising company, with Vivendi Universal (France), Sony (Japan), EMI (Britain) lurking coyly in the bedroom doorway.
Gargolye, whose plans to take control of the as-yet barely existent online corporate music bidniz have been on the boil for some time, “is finding a warm welcome at record companies”, says the Los Angeles Times.
That’s because the Big 4 are “hoping the technology company can loosen Apple Inc.’s grip on the digital music market” with iTunes, says the story.
Mebbe. Mebbe not.
It’s equally possible smooth talking Gargle wants to slowly, slowly replace the various corporate music ’services’ in a Googly way, suggested p2pnet recently, going on >>>
But that shouldn’t be too difficult. There aren’t any.
There’s Apple’s loss-leading (or barely-breaking-even) iTunes. But it isn’t really a music ’service’: it’s the online loader for its iPod, paid for by users.
Then there’s Crapster. Or, rather, there isn’t. And there are two or three more other nowhere self-serving corporate offerings.
To all intents and purposes, only the P2P networks an indie sites are truly serving the music-loving masses.
But Gargoyle plans to change that. As p2pnet pointed out recently, it already has a music site in China, and now it’s close to establishing one in the US, “with frightening implications for anyone who cares about online privacy and freedom”.
Picture this, we said: “Google in bed with Vivendi Universal, EMI, Warner Music and Sony Music and the likes of their RIAA, BPI, IFPI, etc and so on. Think about it. The company already has uncontrollable lust for user data. Think about it again.”
And we still say that.
Meanwhile Warner, whose musical adventures — ie its failed Choruss — have so far come to naught, is bending over.
“Google has smart people, and they recognize record companies need to be more than just suppliers,” the Los Angeles Times has Jac Holzman, senior advisor to Warner Music Group Chief Executive Edgar Bronfman, saying.
“The attitude that you bring to the table is clearly the first step.”
So true.
Or as Bronfman, once put it:
“Digital growth … has the opportunity to return to more robust growth rates as we see the introduction more broadly of access models and new business models beyond the iTunes model.”
But Bronfman is “famous for two things”, says Jeff Baker in his review for The Oregonian of Fred Goodman’s Fortune’s Fool: Edgar Bronfman Jr., Warner Music, and an Industry in Crisis, one annoying and the other unforgivable.
“The annoying thing is that though he was born rich as Croesus, he has opted to work hard every day. The unforgivable thing is that he managed to lose $3 billion while doing so.”
Meanwhile, Bronfman, former owner of the Choruss music licensing ‘initiative’ , “faces charges in relation to his time as an executive in French media conglomerate Vivendi SA”, said the CBC recently.
He’s accused of insider trading.
Stay tuned.
… and identi.ca
Los Angeles Times – Google’s music entreaties fall favorably on record companies’ ears, September 2, 2010
Googly way – Google Music looms darkly, July 22, 2010
there isn’t – Napster craps out on WMA files, August 21, 2010
music site in China – Google gets into the online music biz, March 30, 2009
All Things Digital – Google Goes Hunting for a Music Boss, August 26, 2010
failed Choruss – Choruss, and the sound of silence, October 16, 2009
The Oregonian – Nonfiction review: ‘Fortune’s Fool’ by Fred Goodman, July 31, 2010
Choruss music licensing – Choruss, unbound, March 26, 2010
CBC – Bronfman’s Vivendi insider trading trial begins, June 2, 2010
insider trading – Edgar Bronfman jr ‘insider trading’ charge, June 2, 2010
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September 3rd, 2010 at 7:40 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! It’s so hysterical! $3 billion down the money drain and it’s driving OTHER people insane! Yes, YES! This is what I was hoping for! Down with Warner! Down with the RIAA! Keep boycotting everyone!