[Kent Pribbernow]

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story?id=6450450&rnd=1093517841674&has-player=true

"Within a couple of months, it will match Apple's 1 million offerings. Reports that Microsoft will use its financial clout to become the first site to offer the Beatles catalog (the band reportedly demands tens of millions of dollars for a long-term exclusive arrangement) could not be confirmed."

This could be a major win for Microsoft, as its service would be the one and only to offer Beatles content. Apple Computer has been at odds, legally, with The Beatles Record label (Apple Corp.) which has refused to publish its music on the iTunes Music Store.

The RollingStone article also contains an interesting quote from Ted Cohen, EMI Worldwide senior vice president of digital development and distribution, who got a sneak peak at Microsoft's upcoming Music service and describes it as a "better mousetrap". He went on to say "I think it will be a serious competitor quickly." So it seems that Apple and other download services should take heed...the Giant from Redmond cometh. Be afraid.

[Kent Pribbernow]

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story?id=6450450&rnd=1093517841674&has-player=true

"Within a couple of months, it will match Apple's 1 million offerings. Reports that Microsoft will use its financial clout to become the first site to offer the Beatles catalog (the band reportedly demands tens of millions of dollars for a long-term exclusive arrangement) could not be confirmed."

This could be a major win for Microsoft, as its service would be the one and only to offer Beatles content. Apple Computer has been at odds, legally, with The Beatles Record label (Apple Corp.) which has refused to publish its music on the iTunes Music Store.

The RollingStone article also contains an interesting quote from Ted Cohen, EMI Worldwide senior vice president of digital development and distribution, who got a sneak peak at Microsoft's upcoming Music service and describes it as a "better mousetrap". He went on to say "I think it will be a serious competitor quickly." So it seems that Apple and other download services should take heed...the Giant from Redmond cometh. Be afraid.