Yahoo readies iTunes rival for launch

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Apple is licensing their technology

---But it's not like Apple would not profit from licensing their technology---

Remember that Apple does have licensing deals involving the iPod and iTunes, with companies like HP, Motorola and AOL. I don't think that most courts would force them into giving away their technologies to their direct competitors.

---Not that I'm saying Apple should, but why couldn't Yahoo get a license to decrypt WMA so they can sell it as an iPod firmware update?---

They would also need a license from Apple to create that firmware update, and I don't see Apple giving up their main advantage to a direct competitor. It's kind of like Real's hacking of the iPod. Apple couldn't stop it, but they quickly broke it with their next update.

One thought though would be to sell in a format that is protected on a PC, but not on an iPod. Roll your own AAC or MP3 DRM scheme, which is ignored on the iPod. Since you can't transfer files off of an iPod (without a hack, and there are many around), this might be acceptable to the RIAA.


---This is why I prefer CDs. I rarely buy singles anyway---

I do as well, but I've bought many individual tracks from the iTMS. Things that are on soundtrack albums that aren't available elsewhere (I'd rather pay .99 than buy a whole cd for one song), or new editions of albums I already own that have a few bonus tracks. I've never bought a whole album on iTunes, because, for $9.99, I can find it in my local used cd store.

Posted by: tic swayback   Posted on: 03/08/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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