Friday, April 3, 2015

Feds Eyeing Apple's New Music Streaming Service

The Federal Trade Commision and the Dept. of Justice may undertake a review of Apple's soon-to-launch streaming service.

The NY Post reports the Feds have been holding talks with key music-industry executives in order to figure out whether to launch a wider antitrust review of the tech titan’s business practices.

US interest in possible antitrust issues follows a similar move in the European Union, where the Competition Commission is querying music executives over actions by Apple, other music streamers and record labels that are aimed at stemming freemium business models.

Justice already has an antitrust monitor at Apple’s Cupertino, Calif., offices. The monitor was placed there after Apple lost a case over e-book price fixing and colluding with publishers. Apple has appealed that verdict.

The main issue is a concern that Apple will use its global dominance to push the music business not to license its songs to freemium services — and to obtain exclusive deals.

Read More Now

No comments:

Post a Comment