According to various reports, Google is in the process of creating a music streaming service similar to Spotify, and they are currently negotiating with record labels. If everything goes smoothly for Google, streaming services like Pandora and Spotify should be worried. Here are 5 fast facts you need to know about Google’s upcoming music streaming service.
1. Google Will Offer a Music Streaming Subscription Service Similar To Spotify
According to the Financial Times, Google is working on a music streaming service that will offer unlimited listening and free subscriptions. The new music streaming service will do its best to try to take down similar services like Deezer, Pandora and Spotify. Just like Spotify, if you don’t sign up for a subscription, you will have to deal with advertisements.
2. Google’s Music Streaming Might Be An Extension To Its Download Service
In Nov. 2011 Google launched Google Music, which allows users to download and store music. Because of this service, Google already has existing partnerships with indie labels, EMI and Sony Entertainment. Google’s music catalog is estimated at 13 to 15 million tracks of streaming music, although Google has not confirmed this count. Currently, customers of Google Music can store 20,000 tracks on cloud storage.
3. Google’s Relationship With the Music Industry Has Been Difficult
In May 2011, Google unveiled “Music Beta by Google.” Prior to Amazon launching its Cloud Player, Google felt the need to launch its beta version of Music without partnerships from record labels. Record labels weren’t so happy about that, or the negotiation process that followed.
Agreements over licensing fees for the new music streaming service have not been resolved. Currently, the hurdles with negotiation include requests for large upfront advances by the record labels.
4. Google Responds To the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
The RIAA went after Google this week. Google promised to downrank piracy sites that made it easy for individuals to download music illegally. The RIAA did not see this lowered rank of piracy music sites as effective in stopping repeat offenders. The RIAA penalizes users of illegally downloaded music with decreased internet speed under the new policy of the Center for Copyright Infringement. Legitimate sites that met copyright agreements were still ranked lower than the bootleg services in Google’s top 10 search results. Google’s response to bring more music creators into their partnership did not address the conflict directly.
5. Expect Google’s Streaming Music Service in a Few Months
Although Google has changed its launch date several times, our best guess is that customers will be able to taking advantage of Google’s music streaming service by swimsuit weather.
