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more about #warner Nick: i think the real lesson here is how Too Much Joy can quickly turn sour as time marches on. aka old people are grouches. i will now depart your lawn... more » whiteflea: Amazing article. I read it from start to finish, including footnotes. more » techpops001: How about this for an idea for a morally right web app but probably legally wrong. The service would offer various types of links to music, from torr... more » collectiveego: Very inciteful and interesting as my first album is releasing in a few weeks. I'll have to scrutinize every invoice. ..the next person to use the wo... more » ellismatt: Isn't the theory of "the band makes zero dollars until they're recouped" a bit misleading. They've already pocketed the advance. It's another debate ... more » PotteryBarnClearanceSale: Here's my theory: It's a database and logic problem in the accounting code. The completely missing album royalties are because there is not a unique ... more » corsair130: Reading the entire article I kept wondering, is there any way that this guy could contact I-tunes directly to find out exactly how many of his band's ... more » gumwrapper: Now it all makes sense after reading the informed comments. There was a really popular band (I don't remember who) that made an album and allowed you ... more » jimmyrizzo: Forgetting for just a mement that labels tend to screw just about every artist in their stable ... with shoddy and/or possibly criminal accounting pra... more » SlinkyDink: TMJ was not "punk" anything. They were on a major for christsakes. more » B3ND3R: Without getting too far into it... (ha!) Major record label contracts are exceedingly complex by design. The major label has the knowledge, the know... more » njdevil: I apparently don't understand how the music industry works as well as I thought I did. If so few bands are 'Recouped', How do labels make money? more » Kaiser-Machead: The title's a bit misleading. Isn't cooking the books illegal, due to the fact it involves deceiving people into believing that there are earnings tha... more » AndPreciousLittleofThat: Mr. Quirk, you've uncovered a maxim in the customer service world. The people who are the easiest to reach, and thus the easiest to curse out, aren't... more » Panzer23: I have never been a big fan of record labels, but I mean seriously, we have been taught in every other aspect of life to be meticulous, backup data t... more » Ryan_Long: For the past 6 years I've worked off and on for a San Francisco avant garde band that some no of, most do not, and the stories of the music industry a... more » dry-roasted-peanuts: "There's a theory that labels and publishers deliberately avoid creating the transparent accounting systems today's technology enables. Because accura... more » Oyabun: Can I get a list of unrecouped artists so that I can focus on pirating their music? Its not like the artists are gonna get paid for it anyway. more » AmphetamineCrown: This doesn't seem to me like "cooking the books." Cooking the books implies a certain level of effort to mask the truth. As opposed to just not tell... more » Dancing Milkcarton: What a interesting, information filled post. Please, more like this. more » -
#digitaldownloads
My $62.47 Royalty Statement: How Major Labels Cook the Books with Digital Downloads
Tim Quirk was the singer of punk-pop outfit Too Much Joy, signed by Warner Bros. in 1990. Now he's an executive at an online music service, giving him insight on digital sales data and just how labels fudge their numbers. More » -
#remainders
Remainders - Stuff We Didn't Post (and Why)
Trade in Your DVDs, Plus a Couple Bucks, and Get the Blu-ray Versions...Steve Ballmer Acknowledges Apple's Gains, Remains Cocky...Sanyo to Build Houses Powered by Solar Energy and Li-Ion Batteries...Sony Announces Vague "iTunes-Like" Store on PlayStation Network for Books, Movies, Music... More »
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#bluray
Zack Snyder to Host Watchmen Screening Over BD Live
Warner Bros is super, super smart about marketing their Blu-ray discs. First they had Christopher Nolan host a community screening for The Dark Knight. Now director Zack Snyder will do the same for Watchmen. More » -
#movies
Warner Offering Up Blu-rays in Exchange for HD-DVDs with Red2Blu Program
Still sitting on a pile of HD-DVDs that grow more and more embarassing by the day? Warner Bros. has just started up a new program that'll let you swap them out for Blu-ray versions. More » -
#terminator4
Just Another Day at the Office...Submarine
From Terminator Salvation, John Connor leads The Resistance from his submarine—all while keeping bloody but cozy in his well-tailored aviator jacket (J. Crew, $550). But...what's that red glow all about? More » -
#movies
Terminator Salvation Will Be Blown Up for IMAX Release
The good news is that Terminator Salvation, a movie that doesn't look too bad (I swear!) will be released to IMAX theaters. The bad news is that it wasn't shot on IMAX film originally. More » -
#itunes
iTunes Wants $250 To Upgrade My Music Collection (Or the Deal's Off)
I knew I had a full-blown music-purchasing problem when I went to "upgrade" my iTunes collection—raising the quality and stripping the pestilential DRM—and the grand total came to an all-or-nothing $250. More » -
#bdlive
Dark Knight's Chris Nolan Event Shows BD-Live Is Not Quite Ready
Chris Nolan just hosted the live, on-demand substitute for a Dark Knight commentary track last night. So why was I left unsatisfied after squinting at my TV for two and a half hours? More » -
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#rumor
Is iTunes Ditching DRM Tomorrow?
Speculation aboutifwhen iTunes would score DRM-free tracks from all major studios like Amazon and Walmart do has been rampant, but according to a rumor at AppleInsider, all this speculation may come to an end tomorrow. More » -
#terminator
Terminator Salvation Motion Poster Gives Absolutely No New Information
If I were to have visited the Terminator Salvation set and seen all sorts of crazy stuff, there's a good chance I'd be under NDA so I couldn't talk about it until some specially designated time. But I bet it would have been a great trip that I was eager to share with you all. More » -
#mp3s
SanDisk Releases $20 slotMusic Player, Dozens of SD Card Albums
SanDisk's grand plan to revolutionize the music industry: selling individual albums preloaded onto SD cards, made by them, to be played on SD card players, made by them. The concept is definitely attractive in some ways. The tracks are 320Kbps, DRM-free MP3 files, the SD cards are reusable and the screenless slotMusic players costs next to nothing. Major label albums are priced at a competitive $15, and can be played without the need for transfer from a computer, though you can load other SD cards with up to 16GB of music and play them, too. More » -
#bluray
The Dark Knight Blu-ray on Preorder!!!
ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG $24.95 ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG Features ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG. [ZOMG via ZOMG] -
#bluray
The Dark Knight Blu-ray: Crushing Nielsen Ratings December 9th
Rumors and logic speculated that Warner would release The Dark Knight in time for the holiday season, and the Blu-ray two-disc and collectible limited edition will indeed go on sale December 9th, the same day as the standard DVD release. The standard, two-disc edition will be Warner's first BD Live disc, and it'll pack all sorts of Batarrific extras. From HiDef Digest: More » -
#mp3s
Sandisk Replaces CDs With SlotMusic MicroSDs With Big-Name MP3 Albums Aboard
Sandisk's slotMusic cards are not much more than tweaked 1GB microSD cards with a logo and a special USB-compatible sled: but the fact that they'll carry albums from big names like BMI Music, Sony BMG, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group makes them interesting. They'll also be DRM free too, which is a pleasant surprise. It's an attempt to change the way some people buy MP3s—you'll get a card you can slot into your cellphone or PC with high-quality MP3s (up to 320kbps), artwork, videos and such, which you can also reuse as a 1GB memory card later, and that's kinda handy. More » -
#thedarkknight
Rumor: The Dark Knight Could Coax Warner into BD-Live Release
Warner Bros, along with plenty others, has been skeptical about BD-Live. WTF is BD-Live, you ask? It's that feature in the Blu-ray spec allowing, among other internet-based functionality, people seated on couches across the US to watch movies simultaneously and chat about them. Now rumor has it that the company is considering The Dark Knight as their first BD-Live disc release for the coming holiday season. We can't wait for two and a half straight hours of: More » -
#terminator
Images of Terminator Caught In Hi-Res Trailer
So you've seen John Connor and you've met Marcus Wright, but where are the stills of the robots? Lucky for us, one intrepid Gizmodo reader searched through the Hi-res trailer to find us a good picture of what humanity's up against. Check out the color corrected version! Is that bot wearing... cargo pants? [Terminator: Salvation at Giz] - Thanks Dimitris Karakatsanis! More » -
#playstation3
PS3 Gets Video Store and Rentals Tonight
Unveiling the new Home, Sony revealed that video rentals and purchases are finally coming to the PS3. Video will be fully integrated into the PlayStation Store, which will have a new video section. And you can transfer them to your PSP via USB, and have them on multiple devices at once! Standard and high def, with rentals running $3-$6 and $10-$15 for purchases. It takes about an hour to download a two-hour movie. Most of the major studios are on board (Kotaku has a partial list in their liveblog), and it goes live tonight! -
#bluray
Warner Bros. Cutting Blu-ray Movie Prices This Fall
Is this is it? The beginning of decent Blu-ray movie prices? Warner Bros. is going cut prices on a smorgasbord of Blu-ray movies for retailers in September (some as low as $11), meaning you should see the them slide at least a couple of bucks. More » -
#batman
Batman Begins Now Out on Blu-ray
Batman Begins, the one HD DVD that we've been waiting to get on Blu-ray, has finally made it. It's Batman. It's Blu-ray. You want it. Buy it now. Get tickets for The Dark Knight. It's Batman! Buy this goddamn movie! BATMAN!! [Amazon] -
#bluray
First Warner Bros. BD-Live Discs to Arrive in Christmas Stockings
Warner, the studio that sunk HD DVD's ship as it climbed aboard Blu-ray's, will be one of the slowest to jump on BD-Live, Blu-ray's online interactive content. Its BD-Live discs will arrive around Christmastime, with features like real-time viewing (?), a search engine, library access, and a recommendation tool—all pretty boring compared to Fox's BD-Live plans, which include a multiplayer game for Alien vs. Predator. None of the titles are named yet, but hopefully they come up with something more awesome for The Dark Knight, which would be hitting around that time. [High-Def Digest] -
#homeentertainment
Warner Bros. to Release Movies for Apple TV and On Demand Same Day as DVD
The format war over, and Blu-ray safely enthroned as the victor, Warner can now turn its sights beyond—to downloads and the infinite format war. Time Warner's chief executive announced today that Warner Bros. will release movies for on-demand systems like Comcast's and Apple TV on the same day they are released on DVD from now on. More » -
#warnerbros
Watch Full Episodes of Friends, Scooby Doo and The Batman Online for Free
Warner Bros. is jumping into the online video arena next month with a pair of sites, thewb.com and kidswb.com, which will show full episodes of its biggest series, like Friends and Smallville on the former, and stuff like Bugs Bunny, Scooby Doo and Batman (hopefully Paul Dini's brilliant and amazing original animated series, not The Mediocre Batman) on the latter. It'd probably have made more sense for them to join Hulu, but Warner's probably not keen on splitting the ad dollars. If there's enough content, it could become a real destination, but we're guessing you'll still have to go to YouTube for "Coal Black and de Sebben Dwarves." [Yahoo] -
#riaa
Warner Music Pushes for Mandatory Music Tax on Your Internet Bill
If iTunes music subscriptions don't happen, it's not because the industry lacks interest. Universal's already got a sub plan; Sony BMG is forging ahead with their own; and now Warner Music is investing serious resources and effort into pushing for a monthly music tax. They want $5 a month tacked onto everybody's internet bill, and in return, everyone would have unlimited access to basically all known music. It's not as generous as it sounds. More » -
#streaming
Hulu Opening to Public Tomorrow, Adds Warner Bros and Sports
Hulu, NBC and Fox's new streaming service, is indeed opening to the public tomorrow as we reported rumors of yesterday. What's news to us is that Hulu will be adding Warner Brothers shows and sports as well. The sports will come as game recaps from the NBA and NHL (finger on the pulse!) as well as full NCAA games. Now, I don't want to be a Debbie downer here, and you can't argue with free, but with the copious advertising, spotty selection of episodes and lack of downloads you've gotta wonder just how much this is going to catch on. More » -
#formatwar
Stop! Why It Still Isn't Safe to Buy Blu-ray
By now you know waaaaay too much about Toshiba's format-war surrender, the death of HD DVD at the hands of the larger Blu-ray armada. You may even be eying the Blu-ray players mounted proudly in point-of-sale displays at Best Buy or Wal-Mart. Pricing hasn't come down to HD DVD player levels—and with those sinking even further, it's unlikely they ever will—but the need to get in on the action might provoke you to spend some extra dimes. All we're saying is DON'T! Not yet. If you don't know why, let us explain.
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#announcements
Amazon MP3 Service Going Global; Epic iTunes Battle on the Horizon
Amazon's digital music catalogue is all set to go global, and although a launch date has not yet been settled, it shall hit sometime this year. Given Amazon MP3 offers DRM-free tracks, which are generally cheaper than iTunes limited, equivalent offerings, we cannot help but think an epic battle between the big As is all set to take off. More » -
#musicdownloads
Qtrax Promises Legal P2P Music Sharing Service, the Impossible
We have long thought the acronym P2P was the very antonym of the word legal, but Qtrax, a new P2P music sharing service, has plans to rewrite the geek dictionary. Here's the skinny: The service is free, completely. Qtrax offers an unlimited service. It is supported by the four major labels, as well as smaller, niche music groups, and that means it will have a start-up music library of over 25 million songs. That is about four times bigger than iTunes, and about 100% cheaper. We know what you are thinking; is this all smoke without fire? Short answer; we're not sure, but Qtrax is hitting soon. Very, very soon. More » -
#theendoftheformatwar
The Truth About the Format War and HD DVD's Demise
Most people have already declared Blu-ray to be the format war's victor—even us, begrudgingly—and our recent talks with Toshiba and Universal seem to suggest that the HD DVD camp might be ready to pull up stakes. Back at CES, so many moons ago, Microsoft said HD DVD was over when Toshiba said it was. Ken Graffeo, Universal's Executive VP and Co-President of HD DVD promo group, told us the exact same thing: "If Toshiba says it's over, it is over." Our impression? Toshiba knows it's over. The crazy part is this: Just a few weeks ago, it might've gone the other way entirely.
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#formatwars
HD DVD Losing Its Arsenal in Japan
The HD DVD troopers are surely fighting the losing battle, as new research from Japan details a surge in Blu-Ray recorder ownership. The study surveyed buying trends from 2,300 electronic stores across Japan, and the statistics showed that next-generation DVD-unit sales rocketed from 6.1% in October to 20% in November and December. As the next-generation recorders have a higher price point, they managed to account for some 35% of the total DVD player market value. However, Blu-Ray walked home with the largest market share of the two. More » -
#formatwar
Here's an Idea for HD DVD: Just Give Up
Even if you don't take Hitler's word for it, you probably have the feeling that Blu-ray has won, following Warner Bros.' decision to ditch HD DVD. Questex analyst Thomas K. Arnold has a real innovative solution:"I'm hoping Toshiba, Universal and Paramount will take the high road and, for the good of the entire industry, bow out [of HD DVD]. Universal and Paramount, in particular, need to jump on the Blu-ray Disc bandwagon so we can go into the new year with a unified front and a unified mission: To educate consumers about the advantages of high-definition media and convince them the time to transition from standard DVD to Blu-ray is the day they bring that HDTV into their home."
Oh, so it's about consumers now, eh Tom? Who'da thunk it? [Home Media Magazine via HDTV UK] -
#formatwar
Universal Won't Support HD DVD Exclusively, Blu-ray Victory Imminent Says Variety
Updated after the jump The end of the war is near: Hollywood insider Daily Variety has confirmed that Universal will no longer exclusively support HD DVD. Following Warner's defection to Blu-ray and reports on the clause that allows Paramount to publish Blu-ray titles too, the end of Universal's exclusivity deal may be one blow too many for HD DVD. However, Universal is not going to stop publishing movies in the latter format:
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#itunesvideorentals
iTunes Video Rentals Rumor: Warner Bros. Onboard
Citing the ever-chatty "people familiar with the agreements" Bloomberg is reporting that Warner is the latest studio to climb aboard the iTunes video rental express. For and against breakdown: Warner has been pretty busy this week on the vid front—and it's a total "duh" that Apple has been/is talking with all of the major studios. But, 10 days ago, word was that Warner was abstaining for "competitive reasons." More » -
#rumor
HD DVD Really Dead Now: Paramount Following Warner to Blu-ray-Only Party
Financial Times is reporting that Paramount has a clause in its HD DVD exclusivity contract allowing them to bail from the sinking HD DVD ship if Warner defected to Blu-ray, and they are "poised" to do so.
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#ces2008
CES 2008: What You Missed So Far
We arrived at CES yesterday, and despite being separated into bloggers and press, and watching the game in standard def, we've had a great time so far. If you've missed the coverage, let's catch you up to speed: More » -
#update
Interview: Why Warner Went Full Throttle With Blu-ray
Warner announced earlier today it was 100 percent Blu-ray. We just talked a bit with Warner about some of the whys behind the decision. In a sentence: Because the format war is killing regular DVD sales on top of hurting sales of both HD formats.
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#fallout
Toshiba Is "Quite Surprised" Warner Left Them for That Blu-ray Hussy
Tipped to this during the call with Warner, Toshiba—one of HD DVD's daddies—has released their statement on Warner's Blu-ray defection. It reads like a letter from a jilted lover: "We have long maintained a close partnership with Warner Bros" and "Toshiba is quite surprised by Warner Bros.' decision to abandon HD DVD in favor of Blu-ray." The full screed of woe: More » -
#homeentertainment
Confirmed: Warner Going 100% Blu-ray; Is This HD DVD's Deathblow?
It's been speculated upon and speculated upon, but today it happened: Warner Bros. declared undying allegiance to one format alone: Blu-ray. "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger," said Warner chairman Barry Meyer, suggesting that this move will end the format war. We are a bit sad about this, given our current love of Warner's HD DVDs over their identical Blu-ray titles. And there's still a lot of momentum on the HD DVD side, with Paramount, DreamWorks and Universal exclusivity. But this is a massive blow for sure.
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#homeentertainment
Ghosts of CES Past: Not Everything You See Is Real
A nice pair of reminders that much of what you see at CES is indulgent geek fantasy that might not ever street: The monster 108-inch LCD Sharp showed off at CES 2007—promised to be available this year to customers—is MIA, leading rich people to look for other obscene entertainment options to plow too much money into. More » -
#amazon
Amazon-Warner MP3 Deal Details Confirmed: No Audio Watermarking and More
Just talked to sources at Amazon and Warner Music Group about their DRM-free MP3 retail deal. In case you were wondering, we have confirmed that Warner is not watermarking the files to keep track of them. Incidentally, Amazon wasn't aware of whether or not it would happen, saying that "in some cases the labels provide [Amazon] with audio files that they apply some watermarking to." Here's more on the catalog availability and other pressing concerns:
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#warnerdropsdrm
Amazon Now Selling MP3s from Warner; 2.9 Million DRM-Free Tracks Now Available
Amazon just kicked a certain Cupertino-based company where it counts, scoring DRM-free MP3s from Warner Music Group that you can buy today. This leaves out only the big S, Sony, which is always the last to cave in when the topic is reduced content protection. By contrast, Apple, which helped usher in the DRM-free music initiative, is only selling iTunes Plus tracks from EMI. Stay tuned, though, as that could change at any minute. Jump for full press release.
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