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For six years, the Internet Nexus served as my technology blog, but I've since started blogging at the SuperSite Blog instead. If you're looking for the blog, please head there. --Paul

Thursday, June 10, 2004

Beatles for sale?

Reuters: "Representatives of the Beatles are in discussions with various online music services about licensing their songs for distribution on the Internet, people familiar with the discussions said Tuesday. The Beatles have been one of the biggest holdouts in releasing their catalog for sale online, and the lack of such mega-hits as 'Let it Be' and 'Yesterday' has been cited as a major weakness for fledgling, Web-based music stores. Negotiators for the Beatles have talked with several companies, with a particular emphasis on Microsoft Corp.'s MSN, which is expected to open an Internet music store late this summer, people familiar with the talks told Reuters. 'MSN is working very closely with the music industry to build a top-quality music service for consumers, which includes providing a wide selection of music, but has nothing specific to announce at this time,' said a Microsoft spokesman."

The Beatles, of course, are involved in a Johnny-come-lately lawsuit against Apple Computer regarding the Apple name; 20 years ago, the group's music company, Apple Music, obtained a legal settlement from Apple Computer in which the latter company promised not to pursue music technology. Today, of course, Apple Computer owns the most successful online music store, iTunes. And presumably, all this talk about MSN Music is designed as a slap in the face to Apple Computer. And a childish one at that.

Here's my take on this: The Beatles, or whatever management group is responsible for this long-lost group's holdings, were slow to embrace modern music technology, and frankly, Apple correctly branded its innovative and trendsetting music store as iTunes, and not as the Apple Music Store as one might have expected. You can't deny the successes Apple's had with iTunes, and I don't think The Beatles would be making a good business decision if they chose to go only with MSN. Suck it up, guys: Your music should be available on all music services. This is a classic case of biting one's nose to spite the face. Silly.

[ Posted at 9:33 AM | Permalink ]