Looming Royalty Decision Threatens iTunes Store, Apple Hints

eldavojohn writes "You may recall us discussing some legislation about online music. More decisions are being made that may affect how much money Apple must impart to labels and musicians. Right now, it's 9 cents a track — which adds up, when you sell 2.4 billion tracks each year. The Copyright Royalty Board is asking for 15 cents a track (66% increase) and Apple isn't going to agree." Reader scorp1us points out a similar article at CNN; both stories mention that Apple has intimated such a change might cause a complete shutdown of the iTunes Music Store. Update: 10/02 21:03 GMT by T : According to CNet, the rate has been officially frozen at 9.1 cents per track.

Sweet!

[Bryansix]

Apple has intimated such a change might cause a complete shutdown of the iTunes Music Store.

Finally! Then we can all go back to sharing music like we were intended to in the first place.

Please, please, please let this happen.

[snoig]

Having users that have no desire to install iTunes and all the Apple related crap on their work computers would make my life so much easier.

Not a problem

[rlp]

Admittedly digital music is a luxury. But the economy is doing so well that people won't mind spending a little more on their music. Oh, wait ...

Re:iTunes: A tool of world-wide Satanism

[beckje01]

I'm Christian and I didn't realize people hated me I thought they just hated the loud crazy people. So since I gather that everyone does hate me. I must now hate everything that is different and force my ideas on you just so you'll like me.

Re:What, even eMusic?

[Smeagel]

Wait - there's a world outside the states? j/k..I didn't realize it was still US-only.