Universal Music takes hard line with Apple, iTunes

With the non-stop media circus that is the iPhone launch, you'd think that nothing could slow down the Apple love train. Maybe so, but you can't blame the folks at Universal Music for trying. Bucking the usual trend of major labels eventually caving into Apple's demands, Universal Music--the world's largest music label--has announced that they've effectively said "no deal" to Jobs and company, opting instead for a short-term agreement with Apple that will allow them to keep selling through the iTunes store--for now, at least. This will give Universal a lot more leverage with other online music retailers, though it could really hurt Apple should Universal eventually decide to end the agreement. We can only assume that Apple will do whatever it can to keep Universal at the table and that probably means that we won't be seeing DRM-free tracks from the biggest of the big four anytime soon.

For more on Universal's deal with Apple:
- see this Wall Street Journal article (sub. req.)