In a report on CNET, Greg Sandoval says that Apple has signed a deal with EMI for their forthcoming cloud music service. While Amazon and Google have both recently launched “passive” cloud lockers in lieu of scoring licensing deals with the major labels, it appears Apple is holding out for the real thing.
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As we reported last month, Apple has already secured a deal with Warner Music Group, which just a few weeks ago announced that Russian-born billionaire Len Blavatnick would buy the company for $3.3 billion. EMI, which includes the venerable Capitol Records labels and oversees much of the Beatles catalog as well as newer artists like Katy Perry and LCD Soundsystem, followed a similar corporate ownership trajectory when the private capital group Terra Firma acquired the label in 2007. (Citigroup now controls EMI).
According to CNET, Apple could complete the major label grand slam by securing Sony and Universal as early as next week.
Today also marks the tenth anniversary of Apple’s retail stores. News surfaced earlier this week that Apple may be planning something major for the anniversary. Boy Genius Report had the cryptic details on Monday of what Apple employees were being told about an upcoming in-store promotion, though the tipster site believed the promotion was related to a retail anniversary celebration.
However, the details of the in-store promotion date after the retail anniversary. Most activity is scheduled for this weekend – hardware to be delivered on Friday, training meetings on Saturday – culminating with mandatory meetings for store employees on Sunday, May 22.
Whatever is in the works, it looks to be unveiled on Monday, and may have nothing to do with the anniversary, which will already be several days past.
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