TimesOnline (UK) reports that if efforts by the (US) National Music Publishers Association to increase its take on digital music sales from 9¢ to 15¢ per song sold has Apple threatening it will shutter iTunes.
"If [iTunes] was forced to absorb any increase in the ... royalty rate, the result would be to significantly increase the likelihood of the store operating at a financial loss—which is no alternative at all," says iTunes vice president Eddy Cue. "Apple has repeatedly made it clear that it is in this business to make money, and most likely would not continue to operate [iTunes] if it were no longer possible to do so profitably."
The US Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) in Washington DC will decide whether to grant the request of American music publishers to increase royalty rates on songs purchased online.
Editor's note: Whether we're talking the RIAA, Sound Exchange or the music publishers, their endless manipulations and machinations warrant a harsh response from Apple. Honestly, if they wish to commit suicide, then why shouldn't they be allowed to?
I've not seen Apple's business plan, but I doubt it includes anything about repeatedly saving the music industry from itself...
