Universal Thumbs Nose at Apple

(NEWSER) - Apple has joined forces with four major record labels on a mission to get music buyers to start buying albums again instead of just single tracks, the Financial Times reports. The project—codenamed "Cocktail"—will bundle album downloads with lyrics sheets, sleeve notes, photos, and assorted interactive features in an effort to lure consumers into buying the whole package. More»

Universal leads effort against Apple's control of prices; new store part of plan

(NEWSER) - Universal Music is acting on industry-wide anger toward iTunes’ policies, teaming with Sony and potentially Warner on a new subscription service that could make music essentially free. Still a prototype, Total Music would charge makers of music players $5 a month, PC World reports; they would then offer unlimited downloads with purchase of products like Microsoft's Zune. More»

New online music store undercuts iTunes, lifts limits on copying

(NEWSER) - Seeking to wrest control of the market from Apple, Wal-Mart today launched an online music store that undercuts iTunes by 5 cents per song. More important, the retail behemoth has dropped DRM copyright protection, which means customers can burn as many CDs as they like and play songs on any MP3 player, the Motley Fool reports. More»

iTunes talks with major label said to be ongoing

(NEWSER) - iTunes and the Universal Music group are still at the bargaining table, and reports that the online retainer and the megalabel have changed the terms of their agreement are "just not true," Apple says. The tech giant contradicted a report in yesterday's New York Times, saying through a spokesman that it's "still negotiating with Universal." More»

Web giant will sell non-piracy-protected tracks in digital store

(NEWSER) - Amazon is going where Apple tried (and failed) to: a DRM-free online music store. Set to launch this year, Amazon’s venture won't sell tracks protected by digital rights management, the anti-copying technology that music labels have required Apple’s iTunes to use. To stay DRM-free, Amazon will partner with EMI Music, home to Coldplay and Norah Jones, and 12,000 independent labels. More»