'All you can eat' a myth
March 20th 2008
BusinessWeek claims that reports that Apple is discussing an all-you-can-eat music service with major record labels are false.
Trouble is, no such talks are under way, according to people familiar with Apple's plans. An Apple spokesperson declined to comment. Insiders at major music labels were similarly dismissive. One person familiar with the matter said the idea of [a pay-one-price] plan has been "kicked around" for about a year, but said there have been "no meaningful discussions" on the subject.
The article goes on to say that the labels would probably welcome an all-you-can-eat plan and that Apple might do well to consider it, as well, in order to boost slowing iPod sales. Also, BusinessWeek repeats the old saw that iTunes customers would also welcome a subscription offering (ie not own).
Editor's note: All-you-can-eat was such an appealing idea that I fell hook-line-and-sinker. Consider me chastened (probably not).
Also, iTunes is successful because you own what you buy and users rights restrictions aren't particularly onerous.
Aside from a paucity of DRM-free tracks, a problem the labels could fix today, iTunes doesn't need fixing...
What's your take?
