Universal to Profit from Zune

OK, call me pessimistic but the idea that Microsoft will be giving Universal Music a cut of every Zune sold makes me a little suspicious. (Basically, anything that involves money and record companies immediately makes me think I'm getting ripped off.) In any case, the 'softies up in Redmond have signed a deal with Universal that ensures the music group will receive an undisclosed amount of money for every Zune sold. In return, Universal "will provide more access to artists and rights to music" so that Microsoft can do more with that much-ballyhooed wireless feature. It's not entirely clear what that means, though the implication is that the deal with allow more freedom when it comes to the song-sharing feature that allows you to send tunes to the Zune-wielding hottie at the Starbucks table next to yours.

Comments

So if I buy a Zune player and don't ever buy or access any Universal music, Universal will still get a cut. Yeah, I can see why Microsoft would put forward a deal like that -- it's familiar territory.

Emru

November 09, 2006

4:02 PM PT

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