Nov
11
Category: 
Yes, it’s true: the Zune will cost an extra US$50 because Microsoft have entered in to an arrangement with Universal to cover the cost of all those tracks you have not yet stolen. Presumably, Sony will come along soon and ask for their US$50, and WEA…
For once, I don’t criticise the music industry about this: they asked for the money and received it. That’s not immoral and it’s not stupid. It’s just simple, bare-faced cheek! In the mean time, if you buy a Zune, feel free to help yourself to the Universal back catalogue.
Now I wonder, are you allowed the entire catalogue, or just US$50 worth?
Update
Daring Fireball has a more reasoned article that appears to suggest it’s only one US dollar. I did laugh at Edgar Bronfman’s comment, We are selling our songs through iPod, but we don’t have a share of iPod’s revenue. We want to share in those revenue streams.
He’s the boss at Warner Music, by the way.
As my dad might say, You can want all you like…
Should white vans face an extra tax on the grounds that they may be used for storing swag?
