Amazon Set for Music Downloads + More

"Amazon, which is considered the best bet to challenge iTunes' supremacy in the digital world, is shooting to launch its MP3 digital download store in May, a target date it has yet to publicly acknowledge. (Amazon declines comment.) Meanwhile, sources familiar with the situation say Universal Music Group plans to test the sale of unprotected digital music files, including some of its classical music catalog conceivably including titles by
Andrea Bocelli, at the new Amazon store and other outlets."

"Until recently, eMusic, which served up its 1 millionth download in December, has been the dominant player selling MP3s. A month ago, Universal's plans would have been big news. But the label's move was upstaged by EMI chairman Eric Nicoli's joint announcement with Apple CEO
Steve Jobs that in May the major would release its catalog in unprotected digital files."
"In moving to an MP3 a la carte download model, Amazon initially was pushing for lower wholesale pricing than the current marketplace provides -- 70 cents per track or 70% of retail price -- but pushback from indie labels has merchants talking about what those labels consider more realistic models, if not yet at that pricing level."-Read more at Yahoo
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In a related story:"The Australian music industry has approached Internet service providers (ISP) to penalise people who illegally download music.

Under the plan, record labels would identify Internet customers who are illegally downloading and service providers would give them three warnings before cutting off their phone and Internet connections."
"Ms Heindl says several smaller Internet providers have already expressed support for the plan but the piracy unit is still waiting on a response from the Internet industry association." Read more HERE

-Pic via ringworld.org