RealNetworks Got Fried on Rhapsody. Will Mobile Prove Any Different?
The struggles of RealNetworks are well-documented, and the recent Rhapsody spinoff bodes poorly for upstarts like Spotify. Then again, most music companies, VCs, and entrepreneurs have been getting their asses kicked for the past ten years – though the rules (and resulting opportunities) are always getting reset. Now, the question is whether recently-minted RealNetworks CEO Bob Kimball has a chance [...]
@kanyewest: The Kanye Ego, In 140 Characters or Less…
Why do so many artists decry technology, only to submit moments later?
The RIAA Responds: “Our Efforts Have Made a Real Difference…”
Digital Music News made few friends at the RIAA last month by publishing the organization’s entire 2008 IRS tax filings. The paperwork revealed a salary of more than $2 million for CEO Mitch Bainwol, and even a $300,000 annual take-home for the PR guy. But it also included details of gargantuan legal costs, including massive payouts to outside law firms [...]
How the Indies Saved Pandora…
Pandora pays a monstrous percentage of their revenues to SoundExchange for the use of recordings. That is, 60 percent according to the latest estimates from Pandora founder Tim Westergren. But this could have been a whole lot worse, and A2IM chief Rich Bengloff takes some of the credit for softening Congressionally-mandated rates to more reasonable levels. “We want parity with [...]
Exclusive: Motion to Freeze Limewire Assets Denied…
The RIAA will not be freezing Limewire assets after all, according to a judge’s order.
Breaking: Spotify’s US Label Discussions “Back to Square One…”
What was that about a launch in the fall? Spotify’s US-focused label negotiations appear to be going nowhere fast, according to information surfacing late Thursday.
Breaking: Dimensional Associates Completes Orchard Purchase…
Dimensional Associates is now the sole owner of the Orchard (ORCD). The consolidation effort has been underway for months, though some pushback and procedural details emerged. Orchard shareholders approved the proposal during an afternoon meeting in New York. Dimensional is the private equity arm of JDS Capital Management.