I don't know that it can (yet) be called a feud, but antagonism between major labels and Apple over retail pricing is persisting and intensifying, and the argument is international. The unwillingness of major labels to license content to iTMS Japan is more thorough than I had realized, according to this Macworld post. Sony made news when it petulantly refused to offer Sony Music and BMG content, and apparently Warner is a holdout, too. The situation has gotten so dire for artists who wish to be part of iTMS Japan's huge success, that their handlers are encouraging them to strike independent deals, where possible, with iTMS.
1. And yet another reason to be an indie artist. Freedom of choice. Once signed to a label, the label determines who gets what content and at what price. Should those major label artists strike their own deals with iTMS Japan, you will see lawsuits against those artists as once signed to major label, it is a captive contract unless distribution isn't part of the deal. The label decides your fate. Apple may be the new leader for indie's and should close the doors on the major labels. That way, the majors will experience first hand how it feels to be locked out of a market.
Posted at 5:58AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Bert Gagnon