Apple's cloud music hang-up [CNET News]
Amazon and Google have both released cloud music services that allow users to upload music they have purchased for playback on a number of devices. But, because neither company could secure rights from music labels, their cloud music services don't allow users to purchase music for inclusion in a user's online music library.
However, Apple is aiming to release its own version of a cloud music service based on iTunes with the ability for users to purchase music for the service. In order to offer that important feature, Apple must work out deals with the companies that own the rights to the music it wishes to offer for sale. In many cases, those rights are owned by both recording labels and music publishers.
Apple has secured deals from three of the largest recording labels for a cloud music service - Universal Music Group, Warner Music and EMI Music. But, it doesn't yet have similar deals with music publishers.
Both sets of deals must be in place before Apple can launch the service. Until terms can be negotiated with publishers - which center on what Apple will pay for the service - users can look forward to continuing to sync their iOS device with iTunes.
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