iTunes still failing independent labels

Three months after the UK launch of iTunes, repertoire from thousands of UK artists, including Mercury Music Prize winners Franz Ferdinand and this weeks no. 1 Single "Call on Me", by Eric Prydz, are still unavailable on the service.

In July, Apple agreed terms with European independent record labels for their repertoire to be made available on iTunes Europe, ending a spat that kept many popular artists off the online music store in Britain, France and Germany.

However, some labels, including Domino and Ninja Tune, signed a licence weeks ago only to have subsequently been ignored. Others, including Chrysalis Music Group, are yet to receive any paperwork despite continued chasing.

The Labels say they have experienced no such licensing difficulties with competing services such as Napster and Sony Connect.

Lohan Presencer, MD Ministry of Sound said: "It's immensely frustrating that we are unable to gain access to this exciting new marketplace, especially as we suspect that demand from iTunes customers for our releases would be considerable".

Domino's Harry Martin commented: "It's true, there is no Franz Ferdinand music currently available on iTunes. It's simply bewildering that a company that is perceived as championing this new technology doesn't make it a priority to align itself with records labels in the independent sector that are championing new music. You would think we would be natural partners for each other."

Jeremy Lascelles, CEO Chrysalis Music Division, said: "I find Apple's approach and attitude to the independents perplexing. By their own admission they are seriously under-resourced in terms of the relatively simple task of finalising the paperwork (all the terms of which are already agreed) with a whole host of independent labels, but they don't appear to be willing to create those resources.

The UK independent record sector accounts for roughly a quarter of the UK market with sales worth around half a billion pounds in 2003.

"iTunes “ripping off” UK customers, says watchdog":http://www.netimperative.com/news/2004/09/15/iTunes_watchdog/view

"iTunes clinches deal with independent labels":http://www.netimperative.com/news/2004/07/22/BEP1_News_0000067410/view