Done Deal: Apple Gets All Major Labels On Its iCloud

Apple: Ahead In The Clouds

APPLE INC. has just consummated licensing deals with the four major record labels -- and by this time TOMORROW, is expected to do the same with music publishers -- which would enable it to launch a full-fledged cloud music service, reports the L.A. TIMES.

The service, dubbed iCLOUD, will allow users to upload their music to APPLE's computers where they can then play from a Web browser or Internet-connected APPLE device; eventually it would also be used for movies, TV shows and other digital content sold through iTUNES.

The service initially will be offered for a free period to people who buy music from iTUNES. Eventually there will be a subscription fee in the neighborhood of $25 a year; APPLE would also sell advertising around its iCLOUD service. Revenue from the iCLOUD will be divided between the record labels (who will take 30%) and music publishers (a 12% cut), with APPLE keeping the remaining 58%.

Although AMAZON and GOOGLE have already launched their own clouds, their versions are only good for music storage because neither party has yet to secure licensing agreements with all the major labels.

Coming-Out Party Monday

STEVE JOBS is set to make iCLOUD official when he delivers the opening keynote at the company's annual WORLDWIDE DEVELOPERS CONFERENCE on JUNE 6th (NET NEWS 5/31), APPLE has finalized administrative control of the iCLOUD.COM domain, according to a WHOIS domain directory search.

CNET reports, "The domain, which was previously owned by SWEDEN-based 'hybrid cloud computing' provider XCERION, was rumored to have been sold to APPLE for $4.5 million. In APRIL, XCERION moved its cloud-based storage service from iCLOUD.COM to CLOUDME.COM."

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