Music industry watch
RIP mp3.com?
Joi blogged about how Vivendi's Internet Unit that owns mp3.com doesn't want to allow the Creative Commons to contact its artists:
Nothing replaces the legal protections provided by registering a copyright with the US Copyright Office--most certainly not your “free license.”
This email is formal notice for you to cease and desist from further contacting our artists through our web site to solicit for your product/services, which are not sanctioned by us.
Legal Department
Music & Media
Vivendi Universal Net USA, Inc.
mp3.com never got it and never will. One of the comments on Joi's blog says:
Don't worry about MP3.com --- the company is shutting down, so the whole issue is moot with that company. Big layoffs this month, and assets will probably be sold off within next few weeks to months. Possibly as soon as September. Read the message boards on the MP3.com site for more details.
This is pretty much consistent with the word on the street. mp3.com has been hemmoraging money for years now, and Vivendi was dumb enough to actually buy the damn outfit. mp3.com never had a valid business model and it is one of the few .com leftovers; its about time it gets tossed into the trash with the other .com companies.
Too bad that emusic.com got lumped in with them. I wonder what is going to happen to it. :-(
Posted by Mayhem at August 12, 2003 12:29 PM
Hey, I remember you from the DLM troubleshooting -- thanks for reading my blog. :-)
I'm afraid that things are not looking good for EMusic. If the iTunes store hadn't appeared EMusic might have a better chance, but with so much competition out there, things are grim.
But much like you, I will keep my fingers crossed.
Just to take the comments OT ;) -- yeah, I've noticed that in other post-IPO companies too (including previous employers).
The aim of the company shifts from "good products" to "good figures at the end-of-quarter". sucks...
