Business is confusing, because negotiating deals to gang up on other competitors is all a matter of position.  When the largest player in the market makes such a negotiation, we frown.  When smaller players in the market join together, we call it good thinking.

It appears Mr. Galser (right) has appealed to My Jobs in an email message.  The offer on the table - allow real to use the Fairplay DRM, or else.  The iPod can will only play DRM files if they are wrapped in the Fairplay system (apparently), while it will also handle open MP3 files.  Real wants users of the Rhapsody and RealPlayer services to be able to move their music to iPods - the iPod being the most popular portable player at the moment.  The rumor is, Mr Jobs has said "no."  The threat - Real will shift to all windows media files.

Is this statement from Mr Glaser really a threat?  Or is Apple in the same situation whether or not they partner with Real?  I have an opinion… but for now, just the facts.