Apple has played back-up to another player in its market for decades. But in the online music industry, Apple is the undisputed king. Now Apple is feeling some of the pressures of success and from an unexpected source - there has long been a bit of tension between the recording industry and Apple over the sheer dominance of iTunes music sales.

In a bold move, Universal Music Group (UMG) recently told Apple it wouldn’t renew its contract to sell music through iTunes. Negotiations are ongoing and confidential, but we’re hearing a deal between Apple and UMG could result in “at will” music sales. This means UMG could remove some of its library from Apple’s online music market.

Translation

“Boohoo! I’m the record industry and I am sad that I can’t sell my music through iTunes to anyone with any brand MP3 player.”

Forget that Apple has already started selling DRM free music. Apparently that’s not quite good enough.

It’s not just UMG that’s feeling the dis-love with Apple’s iTunes. The music industry at large has long been alarmed at iTunes' near monopoly on music sales in the digital medium – the only growth area the music industry is experiencing at the moment. The recording industry doesn’t like the exclusivity of iTunes to iPod, despite Apple’s recent experiment in DRM free music sales.

In Defense of Apple

Ken Hertz, a lawyer who represents entertainers like Beyonce and the Black Eyed Peas, said of Universal’s tantrum: “When your customers are iPod addicts, who are you striking back against?”

It’s a good point that the recording industry needs to carefully consider - there are alternatives to iTunes and iPod out there. But if iPods are what the market demands all the recording industry can do in a free market economy is play in that arena. Is the recording industry asking for an end to DRM? Not bloody likely!

You can’t have it both ways Record Industry! DRM clampdown or a free music file sharing free for all – pick a side and quit your whining!