Labels Fight For #1: Hits' Q1 Market Share Report
2010/3/26
Record industry trade Hits Daily Double dug through the Q1 major label sales numbers and found some major shifts in the label landscape. For the first time in recent memory, Sony essentially tied Universal for #1. Also striking is how much just a few releases dominate each label's overall sales. In fact, Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" seems to have been almost entirely responsible for EMI's placement anywhere close to the other three label groups. Hits has more analysis. (registration is required)
「搖滾帝國」侵權案 法院不受理2010/3/27
「搖滾帝國」音樂公司從國外平行輸入披頭四、艾薇兒等音樂光碟來台販售，在台代理這些唱片的華納、索尼等公司，認為「搖滾帝國」侵害著作權；台北地院審理認為，華納等公司只有台灣地區的發行權，沒有光碟輸入權及專屬授權，無權提告，判決不受理。
「搖滾帝國」成立以來，發行多個外國搖滾樂團的唱片，公司從3年前起，從香港、巴西進口搖滾音樂唱片，包含艾薇兒、披頭四、聯合公園、平客佛洛依德、槍與玫瑰等著名搖滾樂團的唱片，在店內販售。
擁有在台發行權的唱片公司，華納音樂、金牌大風、台灣索尼、環球唱片等四大國際唱片公司，認為搖滾帝國侵害著作權，提出告訴，檢警還查扣「搖滾帝國」100多張唱片。
Rapidshare對侵權下載採取強硬措施
03/27/2010 新聞來源: torrentfreak
線上存儲服務商Rapidshare已經成為音樂產業的的巨大威脅，因為它讓侵權行為得到了更為廣泛的散播。不管怎樣Rapidshare開始採取一些措施來抑制自己伺服器上寄存的侵權檔的下載行為。據TorrentFreak報告，Rapidshare開始監控和從伺服器中移除侵權檔，而且還給那些下載了此類檔的用戶寫信，終止了他們的帳號並警告說已經記錄了他們的IP位址，以防對自己不利的法律訴訟。
Spotify預計於第三季度在美國推出
Spotify Targets 3rd Quarter For U.S. Launch
2010/3/26
Online music service Spotify is targeting the 3rd quarter of 2010 for a U.S. launch. “We’re buying server space in random parts of the states and there are licensing discussions too,” Spotify Senior VP Paul Brown told Bloomberg. “But they are going fine because we’re in a long-term partnership with the labels and publishers.”
The company is also in talks with several U.S. mobile providers and ISP's according to Brown. Blackberry and Palm apps are also being discussed.
線上音樂服務Spotify計畫於2010年的第三季度在美國推出。目前他們已經正在著手在這個國家購買伺服器空間。據Spotify首席副總裁Paul Brown說與美國相關的版權討論依然進行中，但呈現一個良好的狀態，因為Spotify與唱片公司和發行商會是一個長遠的合作關係。
Spotify依然與美國幾家手機生產商和ISP進行了交涉，包括Blackberry和Palm的應用程式。
YouTube Down, Wikipedia Hit Yesterday2010/3/25
As of 8:26 AM EDT Thursday, YouTube.com returned the error message: Http/1.1 Service Unavailable. The problems had begun a couple of hours earlier, but YouTube videos embedded on other sites including Hypebot were still playable according to a quick survey.
UPDATE: YouTube is back up. Downtown was about 2+ hours.
Yesterday, Wikipedia was down for several hours delivering a DNS error. The reasons behind each site are unclear. Stay tuned for updates...
Guy Hands Wins Bid To Keep EMI Citi Trial In NYC
2010/3/25
inform the investment group that other bidders had dropped out prior to
their purchase of EMI. It's all part of a bigger battle that could see
the struggling taken over by Citi if it fails to meet its loan
obligations. Warner Music is also preparing a bid for EMI's assets.
"Citi is based in New York, not England, and will have to answer to a group of New York jurors," said Chris Duffy, a lawyer at Boies, Schiller & Flexner who represents Terra Firma told reporters. "We are disappointed with the court's procedural ruling. We look forward to defending ourselves in this case, which we believe is entirely without merit," replied Citi in a statement.
Bertelsmann’s BMG Unit Is Interested in EMI Assets (Update1)
March 23 (Bloomberg) -- BMG Rights Management GmbH, the music-rights venture owned by Bertelsmann AG and KKR & Co., is “interested” in parts or the whole music-publishing business of EMI Group Ltd. if the company is for sale.
“If EMI is on the market, we will look at it,” Chief Financial Officer Thomas Rabe told reporters in Berlin today. “But I’m not aware that EMI is currently on the market.”
EMI Music, the U.K. recording company controlled by Guy Hands’s Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd., this month appointed a new Executive Chairman after it posted a 1.5 billion pound ($2.3 billion) annual loss. Hands may ask Terra Firma investors to inject new capital to keep EMI afloat. Without the funding, the label may end up in the hands of creditor Citigroup Inc.
The strategy of BMG Rights Management, a venture between Europe’s largest media company and KKR, the private equity firm run by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, is to sign local artists and songwriters and to buy local and international catalogs, Rabe said. The focus is not on big acquisitions, he added.
Bertelsmann isn’t currently in “active” talks with Citigroup or in “official” talks about EMI with Warner Music Group, which is also interested in the company, Rabe said.
Bertelsmann, which competes with Vivendi SA and Time Warner Inc., today posted a 2009 net loss excluding minorities of 82 million euros after net income of 142 million euros a year earlier. Sales dropped 5 percent to 15.4 billion euros.
Cost Reductions
Bertelsmann cut expenses buy about 1 billion euros last year as advertising clients and customers cut spending amid the economic slowdown. The owner of book publisher Random House and Europe’s biggest broadcaster, RTL Group, predicts stable revenue and operating profit for this year, Rabe said.
Net income including minorities will range between 400 million euros and 500 million euros in 2010, compared with 35 million euros last year, Rabe said.
Bertelsmann’s debt declined to 6 billion euros at the end of 2009 from 6.63 billion euros a year earlier. Bertelsmann’s debt ballooned with the buyback of a stake for 4.5 billion euros in 2006, returning full control of the company to the Mohn family.
--Editors: Simon Thiel, Robert Valpuesta.
EMI Tries To Pawn Catalog To Stop Citi Takeover
2010/3/22
百代債務纏身 KKR與華納擬組團競購
Warner Music Group & KKR Preparing EMI Bid
2010/3/16
作者 李靜穎 來源 第一財經日報
Guy Hands在2007年向花旗借鉅款買入的百年老唱片公司百代可能因債務纏身而被拍賣。
傳統唱片業最有價值的是內容，但其至多只能確保收入來源，要尋求新的增長點在於要抓住多種不同的新技術手段，由此來搭建內容傳輸平台
越來越多的全球私人股本公司在考慮如何償還其在海外欠下的一屁股債，而Guy Hands旗下的私人股本公司泰豐資本（Terra Firma）就是其中一家。而Guy Hands在2007年向花旗借鉅款買入的百年老唱片公司百代可能就會成為其中的一個棋子，因債務纏身而被拍賣。
據外電稱，私募巨頭(老牌收購天王)KKR(Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. LP)正在與華納唱片進行談判，擬共同對百代唱片展開分拆式競購。消息稱，KKR希望收購百代的音樂發行部門，而華納則希望收購百代的唱片部門。
Guy Hands是個卡拉OK迷，其原先的算盤是買入百代後將其未來收入現金流證券化，在把玩音樂的同時，又能通過證券交易，做成一筆雙贏的生意。
然而，Guy Hands選擇了一個錯誤的時機，完成了泰豐資本史上最大也可能是最失敗的一筆大買賣。風險投資商們在金融風暴之前最慣用的杠杆方式在之後積下了越滾越大的債務雪球。
依據百代與花旗的合同，泰豐資本必須保證百代的債務對比盈利不得超出某一個倍數，一旦超過這一界限，就意味著觸動違約條款，只能宣佈貸款信用違約。
這份契約合同沒有嚴格的附加條款，只要付得起利息，本金貸款不需近期支付或可分期付款，只要盈利上升或泰豐資本能通過注入股本緩解壓力，花旗就可放寬還款期限至2015年。
但期限將至，債務背後高昂的利息讓入不贅出的百代不堪重壓。近幾個月，業內紛紛猜測百代最終可能會被最大競爭對手之一的華納音樂收購，或者是兩家唱片公司合併的消息不脛而走。
目前，KKR和華納尚未同百代達成協議，正式的競購要約需要等到百代與其債權人花旗集團的財務問題得以解決後方能發出。
一位投資人告訴記者，目前傳統唱片業不景氣，唱片銷售的大幅下跌其中一部分受限於互聯網線上版權的侵犯。
“在數位技術崛起的背景下，唱片的銷售管道已從傳統的音像店轉移向互聯網、手機等新載體。”他說，“傳統唱片業最有價值的是內容，但其至多只能確保收入來源，要尋求新的增長點在於要抓住多種不同的新技術手段，由此來搭建內容傳輸平台。”
2010/3/15
KKR is said to be most interested in EMI's profitable publishing arm, and WMG has coveted the recorded music division for nearly a decade. Observers put the value of EMI Music Publishing at £1.2B ($1.8B US), but a sale price for the rest of EMI's assets is much tougher to calculate. Recorded music accounted for 55% of EMI’s £293M ($4.4M US) earnings last year before restructuring costs, but declining sales and a discontent roster of artists leave observers wondering how much the company will be worth in the future.
Lady Gaga’s Viral Videos Pass One Billion Views
by Erick Schonfeld on Mar 24, 2010
Soulja Boy’s Crank Dat might be the most-watched viral video of all time, with a collective 722 million views, but Lady Gaga just became the first artist to surpass one billion online video views across her three most popular videos: Poker Face (375 million views), Bad Romance (360 million views), and Just Dance (273 million views). Not far behind are the two trailers for the Twilight Saga movies, which have combined views of 984 million.
These numbers come from Visible Measures, which just updated its Hundred Million Views Club of viral videos. It estimates views across all the major video-sharing sites as well as embeds. There are now 65 videos with more than 100 million views, and more than half of them are music videos. Historically, that’s been the case as well.
In addition to Beyonce’s Single Ladies and and Susan Boyle’s famous tear-jerker song on Britain’s version of American Idol, a few actual user-generated videos snuck on the list. They are mostly from the “Kids Do The Darndest Things” category such as Charlie Bit My Finger Again (289 million views) and David After Dentist (113 million views).
Universal Not Eyeing EMI Bid環球不看中買入 EMI
March 24, 2010
Universal Music Group (UMG) reportedly is not holding talks with private equity group Terra Firma about a deal for struggling EMI. Many rumors have floated around in recent weeks that Terra Firma could look to sell certain EMI assets or break up the group as it faces not being able to cover its debt with Citigroup. However, "We are not in talks with Terra Firma," a UMG spokesman told Reuters.
Bertelsmann Finance Officer Thomas Rabe said on Tuesday that the BMG Rights groups would look at EMI if it was for sale, but there are no formal talks at the moment, according to Reuters. Various reports also have said that Warner Music Group (WMG) is talking with private equity firm KKR about making a joint bid for EMI, as KKR would be interested in acquiring the music publishing arm of EMI, while WMG wants the recorded music division.
Most recently, EMI held talks with rival record labels (including WMG, UMG and Sony Music) about licensing its music in North America for a five-year period. Terra Firma believes it can raise £400 million from such a deal and this would be enough to stave off a looming takeover by its lender, Citigroup.
環球為CD專輯降價至6到10美元
03/20/2010 新聞來源: billboard
環球音樂集團希望通過將美國CD專輯的價格砍至6到10美元區間來重振CD專輯的銷售。這是環球的一次官方的嘗試，並且作為Velocity program的一部分，隨後也會在其它專輯形式裡展開。儘管如此環球為了彌補降價造成的部分空缺，將會發行更多豪華版定價更高的專輯，以便於那些忠實歌迷和收藏者購買。環球發行公司的老闆Jim Urie 就說此舉將可能會為物理介質專輯帶來新生命。
新的定價也需要唱片零售商為之適應，據某消息來源稱環球新的定價策略將會有25%左右的利潤空間，也就是說10美元CD會以7.5美元的價格批發。而且環球此舉降價也不會影響數位音樂銷售價格，似乎應證了商業中的普遍認知：10美元是一個魔法定價點，它可以誘使消費者購買更多CD。
環球之後，其餘包括EMI,SONY,WMG和一些獨立唱片公司都採取了應對措施，也將零售價格或批發價格調整到10美元左右。
長期以來業界都認為降價唱片銷售價格可以有效地延長CD的銷售的壽命，而且CD專輯銷售眼看面臨著極大威脅，在2008年CD銷售降低了19.7%，在2009年降低了18.2，而今年截止目前就降低了15.4%。
Google中國網站正式關閉 新家轉址香港再出發
Google 22日晚間在官方部落格上宣佈，該公司停止過濾大陸網站「Google.cn」的搜尋結果，拜訪該站的使用者將被重新導向至香港網站「Google.com.hk」，透過設在香港的伺服器提供中國網友未經審查的Google Search、Google News、Google Maps和Google Images等簡體中文搜尋服務。
Google日前在中國遭駭客侵襲，與中國政府在網頁的檢查制度談判未果，媒體謠傳Google將撤離中國市場以表示抗議。Google最新說法是，不會撤出中國，保留在中國的銷售和研發業務，但600名中國員工的去向仍未確定。
從23日凌晨起，許多網友發現，拜訪Google.cn網頁時，確實會被重新導向到Google香港網站，首頁下方並顯示「歡迎您來到谷歌搜索在中國的新家」。不過，這種新做法仍未獲得中國官方與Google雙方證實，究竟是Google直接挑戰中國網路內容審查的行動，還是雙方互相退讓後的折衷方法，還需要時間觀察。
BBC報導，Google首席法律顧問德魯蒙德說，從Google.com.hk提供「沒有經過內容審查的搜索服務」是對目前挑戰的「合理解決方案，這完全是合法的，這會使中國人民更方便地獲取信息」。
目前Google在中國市佔率為三成，遠低於對手百度所擁有的六成市場，事實上，在1月谷歌面臨駭客入侵，選擇不對搜尋結果進行過濾，與中國談判陷入白熱化，引發近兩成的廣告客戶出走。
eMusic為會員提供線下增值服務體驗
eMusic Adds Subscriber Rewards Program
03/21/2010 新聞來源: eMusic
eMusic在上周宣佈了一項新舉措（ eMusic A+R Access + Rewards©），從上週末開始，美國的eMusic會員可以從他們的訂閱中獲得更多獨特的增值服務，包括提供選定的音樂俱樂部和音樂節的特殊通路（Pitchfork音樂節門票等）、聯繫音樂家的機會、特價音訊設備和附件（創新iPod音箱5折，Kensington.com和MusicSkins.com站內商品8折）、音樂博物館（搖滾音樂名人堂）的門票折扣、對音樂社區擴展和所有下載促銷活動提建議，新的增值優惠也將不斷增加。
eMusic的CEO表示，成為eMusic的使用者意味著不僅僅是買音樂，這項舉措將有機會去為歌迷創造更深層、更豐富的音樂體驗。
# SXSW - At a lunchtime event today at SXSW, eMusic today debuted a new A+R Access + Rewards program that gives U.S. members exclusive offers and discounts.
In addition to their eMusic subscription members now get special access to selected clubs and festivals, opportunities to connect with artists, deals on music hardware accessories and discounted entry to music museums like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. New offers will be added on an ongoing basis.
A partial list of U.S. launch partners and benefits:
Experiences
Pitchfork Festival – sweepstakes for roundtrip travel and two VIP tickets for the July festival
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum - discounted admission
Le Poisson Rouge, NYC – discounted tickets to selected shows
Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn – limited eMusic member guest list to selected eventsCentral Park Summerstage, NYC – limited VIP section tickets to selected free shows
Gear
Creative - $50 off Sound Blaster Wireless System for iTunes + Receiver
MusicSkins.com – 20% off all products
Kensington.com – 20% off any order
Charitable Partnerships
Rock the Earth
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum
香港海關與國家版權局簽訂協定打擊網路盜版
03/20/2010
新華網香港3月19日電 據香港特區政府新聞處消息，香港海關19日與國家版權局首次就打擊網路盜版行為簽訂合作互助安排，以加強網路環境中的版權保護。
國家版權局版權管理司司長王自強和香港海關助理關長譚耀強分別代表雙方出席儀式並簽字。
在這一合作互助安排下，國家版權局與香港海關同意在各自的法律、許可權、能力和資源的範圍內，在打擊網路盜版方面緊密合作，並提供行政互助，以保護在網路環境中版權擁有人的權益。同時，雙方代表會安排定期會晤，商討打擊網路盜版的合作及互助細節，並就有關事宜交換意見。
譚耀強在簽字儀式上感謝國家版權局給予香港海關的支持和協助。
國家版權局代表團在港期間還訪問了香港海關版權及商標調查科、智慧財產權署，並與國際唱片業協會（香港會）、國際唱片業協會亞太區總部、香港影業協會及香港動漫畫聯會代表會面，以瞭解各機構在保護網路版權方面的工作。
諾基亞Comes With Music準備進入印度市場
03/20/2010 新聞來源: Billboard
諾基亞的Comes With Music準備在2010年上半年在印度運行，此舉主要是針對印度在今年將升級到3G網路。印度的無線運營商Bharti Airtel最近也已經宣佈將在今年銷售蘋果的iPhone 3GS版。根據諾基亞在印度的代表稱，該項音樂服務將捆綁在高端諾基亞手機上，提供的內容主要來自國際四大唱片和主流的本地唱片公司。
Comes With Music這項服務推出已經有18個月，各地反應結果有較大差別。在英國的資料有點令人失望，原因因為運營商都有自己的音樂服務，服務缺乏運營商的支援，同時在行銷活動中沒有明確把資訊傳達給消費者。此後諾基亞也進行了一些調整，包括在他們的英國網站上放置了如何簽約這項服務的宣傳短片，也跟運營商Orange簽訂了Comes With Music的運營合作。在其他地區則要成功的多，尤其是在新加坡。有人以此判斷Come With Music可能更適合於無線占數位音樂主導地位的國家和地區。
賣甚麼給死忠粉絲 Selling To Fans? 想想可樂果Think L.I.V.E.2010/3/18
#SXSW - During yesterday's SXSW 2010 panel "Your Fans Are Your Livelihood" hosted by Glenn Peoples of Billboard, Brian Peterson of Bandbox recommended that the key to more sales from fans is to think L.I.V.E.
限量Limited
Offer products that are limited in time and/or quantity.
互動Interaction
Interact regularly with the fans.
超值Value
Add more value or discount the product.
獨家Exclusive
Sell to your core fans first.
