Apple’s iRadio Delayed by Royalty Problems

[Maura]

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AppleInsider reports today that we may have to wait a little longer for Apple’s forthcoming iRadio service, due to problems with ongoing negotiations with Sony. Apparently the ever-thorny issue of licensing fees is once again the sticking point, according to the original story in the Financial Times, which says that Apple has already struck a deal with Universal Music, and is on the verge of inking a deal with Warner Music. However, it seems that Sony Music has yet to sign a deal with Apple, apparently wanting more concessions, according to the report. It is thought that Sony wants Apple to pay more, seeing as Apple looks set to make lots of money from any streaming music service that it might set up. AppleInsider says that Apple originally offered just 6.5 cents per 100 tracks streamed, which is half of what Pandora pays. The labels turned this down, so Apple then offered 12.5 cents per 100 tracks, which some of the labels appear to be happy with, but clearly not Sony! [/FONT]

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[FONT=&quot]Source:[/FONT] iRadio stalled again as Apple, Sony can't agree to royalty terms