COPYCENSE

"U2 singer Bono strode onto stage at Apple Computer’s iPod release party last month with his trademark swagger and sunglasses, along with words of praise for the company and its music products.

"In the online music business, where top artist exclusives are the subject of bitter competition, this was a singular coup. On the eve of a major record release, U2 was freely giving Apple the rights to use its first single in an iPod commercial, was lending its brand to a new version of the music player, and giving the company first crack at selling its new single and album online.

"This combination of idealism, fear and hunger for publicity is driving a cozy new relationship between the music business and young online music services, which insiders say is likely to define the online music industry for years to come."

John Borland. For Net Music, Exclusives are King. News.com. Nov. 26, 2004.

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