Where’s iTunes 10? Music publishers might be problem [u]
[u] It finally showed, but it was a conspiracy too good not to share — thanks for reading! On Wednesday, Steve Jobs told the world that iTunes 10 would be available for download in a matter of hours. Now, hours later, the promised update hasn’t shown up in Software Update or on the company’s Software Downloads support page either.
In Apple’s iTunes 10 press release it states rather clearly that “iTunes 10 is available immediately as a free download at www.itunes.com.” However, if you click the newly fashioned iTunes 10 Download button, you can’t get the new version, just v9.2.1.
What might be the hold up? Well, although they don’t attempt to make the connection, News.com reports that the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) claims that Apple needs to negotiate with them before it can extend song samples from 30 seconds to 90 seconds, which is a feature of iTunes 10.
“We believe that a license is necessary and conversations must occur before song samples are extended,” said Jay Rosenthal, general counsel, NMPA.
Of course, Apple hasn’t said anything. Nevertheless, iTunes 10 hasn’t been made available immediately and this threat out of the music publishers seems like the mostly likely reason for this our iTunes-less state that I can lay hands on.
News.com adds that Apple had already come to agreements with the big record labels vis-a-vis longer song samples. It’s also worth noting that the NMPA is largest publishers group in the US, but represents only a small fraction of the known music publishers.
Trade associations, Iran, unions, home owners associations, North Korea and, yes, lawyers in general — where would we be without them? Probably sipping margaritas somewhere awesome…
What’s your take?
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