MySpace Music Meets Universal Music: Rigmarole Ahead?

A potentially revamped MySpace Music is now perking serious excitement. A rash of reports, rumors, and tentative deal points suggest an ad-supported, on-demand music platform that includes paid, DRM-free downloads. And of course, the real sweetener would be the behemoth MySpace audience, one that is highly receptive to music.

But devilish details - including legal and political complications - could be dragging the process, at least according to a group of well-connected industry executives. Major label heavyweight Universal Music Group is unsurprisingly taking the negotiating lead, and legal hurdles are now front-and-center. Obstructing the path is a massive lawsuit against MySpace parent News Corp., one that dates back to November of 2006 and focuses on infringement. "They are unwilling to move forward with MySpace without successfully resolving the suit," one executive told Digital Music News.

Another aspect involves Universal's Total Music. The grand vision revolves around ubiquitous music access, either through pre-bundled devices or ISP relationships. That has already hit the ground with Nokia, which is now pre-packaging content into its advanced devices. According to multiple sources, Universal is attempting to gel Total Music into the MySpace partnership, though a label representative told Digital Music News that it does not represent a roadblock to a successful deal.

Elsewhere, a dangling puzzle piece known as MySpace Records confuses the legal picture a bit. The label, a collaborative venture involving Universal Music Group unit Interscope, remains active despite the overhanging lawsuit. The collaboration includes artists Kate Voegele, Mickey Avalon, and +44.

Permalink: http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/stories/022408myspace

Related articles (registration required):

"Universal Music Group Sues MySpace, News Corp.," November 20, 2006
http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/stories/112006myspace

"MySpace, Interscope Team on New Record Label," November 3, 2005
http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/stories/110305myspace


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