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Japan artists want on iTMS

Submitted by jtirrell on August 29, 2005 - 08:50. weekly discussions

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2005/8/10/921

This story talks about how musicians in Japan are trying to sign up
with the iTunes Music Store (ITMS) even if their label has not agreed
to do so. For those who don't know, record labels control basically
all aspects of commercial music, and that includes distribution
channels, so artists usually can't just sell their own music any way
they want, they have to get the label's permission. ITMS has been a
huge success in Japan and some artists whose labels haven't agreed to
work with it are trying to get their music on it directly.

I think this is interesting because it could hypothetically lead to
the cutting-out of music labels in the future. If the artist can work
directly with distributors, the reason for the existence of music
labels drops away. It's fairly well known that big music labels, like
big movie companies, squeeze both artists and consumers to drive
their own profits. If their middleman role becomes less necessary, it
could mean cheaper music for consumers and wider distribution for
artists. The possible downside, however, is that there will still be
big companies in control: in this case, Apple. Rather than the record
labels having a stranglehold on music, distributors like Apple would.
History has enough examples to suggest that there is no such thing as
a benevolent dictator.

previous forum topic

prices

Submitted by test on August 29, 2005 - 08:57.

This article points out that record labels are already pressuring the
iTMS to raise its prices:

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1223

Perhaps at some point, online distributors like iTMS will be able to
negotiate with artists directly for pricepoints rather than having
labels handle this. It is important, in that labels have a vested
interest in seeing iTMS not do too well, as that could weaken their
hold on the music industry (as has been suggested by the parent post).

Thoughts regarding ITMS

Submitted by mcpierso on August 29, 2005 - 09:12.

After reading this article the one thing that stuck out to me is the potential power ITMS has, already being a top leader in the music selling/buying industry and how ultimately being able to control the music commercial aspect is looking like a possiblilty in the near future. ITMS could put alot of music industrys under, and create a whole new way of introducing new artists. The only question i have is how would this affect ITMS'S consumers, would the music prices go up with the demand?

do what they want

Submitted by atrzcins on August 29, 2005 - 09:08.

I think that the artists should be able to do what they want with their music. I think if they want to go through the iTunes Music Store then they should be able to. It shouldn't be the label's decision. However, I think if the artists have signed a previous contract with a particular label; they should finish that out before going to the ITMS. Also, I think a lot of artists might be skeptical about using just the iTunes Music Store to get their music out there; I think they might still want the more professional opinion of a real label and producer.

The artist

Submitted by hhowarth on August 29, 2005 - 09:09.

I think the concept of iTMS is a very unique and futuristic idea. My only problem is what would happen if Apple would take total control of all the music? Then, Apple would become a monopoly, which in America, we are trying to prevent. If this did happen, Apple would have total control over the artists just like the music label companies do now. Apple could raise the prices extremely high, or make the prices so cheap that the artist might loose all of his/her profit. So, I think the artist is at a loose, loose situation. The artist will never seem to own their own music, because the artist is always selling or negotiating with someone to handle his/her music.

everyone wins with ITMS

Submitted by mprocell on August 31, 2005 - 00:14.

The presence of ITMS creates competition in the industry, bringing the cost of music down and possibly deterring music piracy. Also, the record labels and ITMS would have to compete for artists' contracts, giving the artists a better deal than they used to have with just the record labels giving them unfair contracts.

Promote record labels. Ban unfiltered music.

Submitted by dkasseba on August 31, 2005 - 15:39.

I personally don't like the idea of an artist not having a label. I have always depended on the record labels to filter the music entering the market. If an aspiring artist can go strait to iTunes without a label, there is a possibility that the music world will be filled with rubbish.
People may argue that labels deter good music (or artists) from entering the music market. I don't think that this should be a concern. Labels always have their ears open looking for profitable artists. This is how we formed such a wide spectrum of profitable music. It is also how both Kenny G and Metallica can both be successful.
Give the labels credit. They have done a good job for nearly 70 years at introducing new artists and keeping prices fairly low.