Music labels balk in talks with Google, report claims

By on Apr 15, 2011 at 3:23 PM
General April 15, 2011

With Amazon having just launched its Cloud Drive digital locker product and Apple rumored to be on the verge of introducing a cloud-based music service of its own, the last thing Google needs is a new barrier in its negotiations with music labels. Unfortunately, according to a new report on Friday, Google has positioned a new hurdle in its own path by changing the terms of its proposed Google Music service in the middle of talks with labels. As a result, Google’s conversations with major labels have now “gone backwards,” and Google may be thinking about throwing in the towel and launching an Amazon-like locker service where users can upload their own songs and stream them. This would be less than optimal for Google as it would likely pull in far less revenue than a subscription music service or an iTunes-like store, but at least it would give users a way to stream their music on any PC or Android device.

[Via MediaMemo]

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  • Anonymous

    I know Google can do it. Go Google Go!!!! What do you call a Google fan boy? A Googloid?

    • Anonymous

      Oh no you din’t. Oh no you din’t!!!!!

      • Anonymous

        Yes I did. Yes I did. Talk to the hand!!!

  • Anonymous

    Talk about hoisted by your own petard, Google…

  • megaman821

    Amazon has the right idea. Launch a digital locker service where each user uploads their own music files. I am pretty sure Amazon is savvy enough not to store the exact same file twice on the back-end but there is still a lot of file variation for the same song. This is completely legal. If music labels want to get a piece they basically need to let Amazon stream songs after the user has verified ownership in some way. This will dramatically cut the storage requirements for Amazon and they can pass a bit of that saved money to the music labels.

    • marK

      Interesting bit about the file storage, that–has there been any chatter about one’s privacy rights in regards to files uploaded to the locker?

  • worldbfree4me

    What Google and Apple are trying to do is get out in front of Amazon, who IMO is the laying the foundation for an upcoming device. First came the App Store, now the Music Locker, and soon a Movie locker. The Kindle I have no doubt will morph into such a device soon! Imagine a device that is vertically intergrated with all things AMAZON. It will sell like hotcakes!

  • http://ocentertainment.net ocentertainment

    As much as I love having just about all of my services integrated with my Google account, to be honest, if they can’t score some form of streaming or selling of music, then I’d just stick with Amazon’s cloud player. If I’ve got to bring my own music, then I’d almost certainly end up at Amazon’s store anyways (when I’m not going through Rdio). And if I’m going through Amazon’s MP3 store, why not just use their cloud player?

    I hope that this ends up going through (and frankly I wouldn’t be surprised if this story was just sensationalized, there’s a lot of money to be made from rumors like this).

  • Anonymous

    Come on Google, don’t give up! iTunes, while great, is too damn slow and crashes at times to be bearable.

    • Anonymous

      I don’t think you use itunes. Mine does not crash.

      • Anonymous

        I agree with you itunes doesn’t crash for me.

        But it is so goddamn slow that I feel my life wasting every time it opens. Move on dude.

        itunes is a sh*t program on windows. Try zune desktop software. It will change your life.

      • Anonymous

        Based on no evidence (like you just did) i think you’re a dog and don’t even use itunes. Andrones Are Fun!

  • Anonymous

    Record industry is stupid. Get with the program, either allow the subscription model and people will be more willing to buy music since it is easy. You are only hurting yourself by not working with companies like Amazon and Google who are atleast trying to give you a cut of the pie.

    • Anonymous

      Stupidity doesn’t enter into it. Tons of companies (and even Google is one) shrink from transitioning their bread and butter products – whether it be media, software, or some other content – unless they absolutely have to. The reason for corporate inertia isn’t because they’re too stupid to realize it, it’s because of greed. Plain and simple.

      That and transitions are uncertain and difficult, and no one wants to take the hit in sales first, or they might lose out permanently to their competitors. Fortunately, in this case, more and more independent labels and artists are realizing they don’t need to sell their souls to the Big Four anymore, and are making an end run around them anyway. Ten years ago, there were no prominent bands or musicians in this space, but things have definitely changed.

      Rest assured, this will eventually happen. But it will probably be in some much more perverted form than it is now and the RIAA will sweep in, take the credit, and make like it was all because of them all along.

  • Anonymous

    It’s all about leverage, really. Unfortunately, in this market, Google doesn’t have the balls to play with. No leverage.

  • Anonymous

    Why are the record labels doing this? I mean, they eventually will have to open their legs to google. Google will have 100% market share in all technology. Period!

  • Cmfeutz67

    why would anybody want to use amazon or Google cloud services? you can do the same thing (stream your own drm free music) from your own hard drive using audiogalaxy…its available free in the market!! it works so well (for 4 months now) that i sold my 64gig crap pod touch. who needs portable storage when you have this? audiogalaxy indexed and made available – with album art – over 100 gigs of my music!

    • Lechero

      dont know how the hell i never found this app, thank you good sir.

      • Anonymous

        Try Subsonic. It’s that much better and it’s completely free, including mobile apps.

    • Anonymous

      Um, because not everyone has an always-on computer with a 24/7 connection to the internet, does not know how to have an always-on computer with a 24/7 connection to the internet does not want to have an always-on computer with a 24/7 connection to the internet, or all the above?

      You shouldn’t assume that everyone is as technologically capable as you are. I run my own private music server too, but it has several limitations (the catalogue being just one of those) and often use a supplemental service like Grooveshark when I’m out.

      The fact of the matter is this: try telling someone what a music locker is. They’ll understand you like that. Then try telling them what a “personal media server is” and see if they comprehend you as quickly.

      • Anonymous

        You learned ‘em!

  • Anonymous

    report claims. That’s all you say Zach.

    • Bringit

      iPAPiNYC claims to have been google gang raped by 12 droiiidd lovers last night. And loved it. PAPINYC is wide open – droid style. Like his momma.

  • Dick Wagger

    I love the record companies wagging their dicks like they’re going to be relevant let alone existent within 10 years.

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