April 24, 2007

• Insiders say Wal-Mart will lower the square feet designated for CDs and replace them with iPod accessories. (Kings of A&R, via Idolator)

• Warner Music Group has settled its years-old claim against Bertelsmann over the latter company's relationship with Napster. The WMG press release is mum on an amount, but an 8-K filed with the SEC says WMG will receive $110 million from Bertlesmann, who admits no liability in the settlement. (Press release)

• Another day, another Amazon.com rumor: Insiders say Amazon.com's digital download store will be integrated into existing the Amazon.com storefront. "It’s going to look just like Amazon does today," said one source. (Digital Music News)

Gracenote has launched its online lyrics service. Yahoo Music, through a revenue-sharing agreement with Gracenote, will offer the lyrics of hundreds of thousands of songs. More sites will soon offer lyrics through Gracenote as well. (Reuters)

• Indie911, an online social network with music overtones, has partnered with APM Music, a joint venture between EMI Music Publishing and BMG Music Publishing. Indie911 will provide indie and unsigned content to television, film and video game companies. (Billboard.biz)

• An analyst put iTunes' operating profit at as much as 15%. Because Apple has undertaken measures to minimize credit card transaction fees -- something many people mistakenly think eats up all iTunes profit -- each song clears ten cents. (AppleInsider)

• Check out ASCAP's blog for its "I Create Music" ASCAPExpo that ran April 19th to 21st. (EXPO's Vox)

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Posted by Glenn at 11:31 AM | | | Brick-And-Mortor Retail | Publishing | Sony BMG | Warner Music Group | iTunes