Sony Backs Away from Talk of Pulling Content from iTunes

**Michael Essany** · 02-17-2011, 03:09 PM

Last Friday, on the heels of Sony's hurt feelings over Apple's rejection of the Sony e-reader application, speculation rose that Sony may withdraw the music it currently makes available through iTunes. Michael Ephraim, Chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment, stated in an interview that all options were on the tablet with regard to the future of Sony music and possibly pulling it from iTunes.

Less than one week after Ephraim's controversial statements, Sony is officially sidestepping those comments and reiterating its cooperative aims with Apple. "Sony Music as I understand it has no intention of withdrawing from iTunes," said Sony Network Entertainment Chief Operating Officer Shawn Layden. According to Silicon Alley Insider, Layden considers Apple "one of our biggest partners in the digital domain." Regarding Ephraim's harsh words last week, Layden added, "I think those words were either taken out of context or the person who spoke them was unclear on the circumstances."

Ah, yes, the old "taken out of context" excuse. Well, for now, it seems to be working for Sony as the relationship with Apple's iTunes remains intact. It will be interesting to watch Sony in the coming months as the company's freshly launched "Music Unlimited" gains ground in the US, Australia and New Zealand. If and when the service grows, Sony's attitude toward Apple could change drastically.

Silicon Alley Insider

**Lombardo Joe** · 02-17-2011, 03:14 PM

Thank goodness that isn't going to happen... There's a war that I really didn't want to start.

**Robsbrutal** · 02-17-2011, 03:25 PM

Sony wouldve lost that fight!

**Thenextkiller** · 02-17-2011, 03:52 PM

sony would have beat the **** out of apple

**Lombardo Joe** · 02-17-2011, 04:04 PM

It doesn't matter. My dad can still kick your dad's butt.

**cockyjeremy** · 02-17-2011, 04:07 PM

Sony's not stupid after all.

**TheDirtyDiddler** · 02-17-2011, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Thenextkiller

sony would have beat the **** out of apple

If "losing tons of money" is the same thing as "beating the crap out of Apple" then sure.

**feidhlim1986** · 02-17-2011, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Thenextkiller

sony would have beat the **** out of apple

Sony would have lost out way more than Apple. Sony's music/movies/tv shows/etc are just a small percentage of Apple's client base and income.
Chances are if there was no Sony music in iTunes, a lot of people wouldn't notice and wouldn't actively seek out Sony music elsewhere.

**chubbypickle** · 02-17-2011, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by feidhlim1986

Chances are if there was no Sony music in iTunes, a lot of people wouldn't notice and wouldn't actively seek out Sony music elsewhere.

Probably not to pay for it if they do.

**andypropaganda** · 02-17-2011, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by chubbypickle

Probably not to pay for it if they do.

People pay for music? I don't condone piracy... I'm just asking. Just askin... Askin away...

**feidhlim1986** · 02-17-2011, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by andypropaganda

People pay for music? I don't condone piracy... I'm just asking. Just askin... Askin away...

Truth is I didn't pay for a lot of it until I got an iPhone. Now I'll buy an album straight to my iPhone cos I'm too lazy to search the various other "outlets". So moral of the story is, having an iPhone stopped me pirating music

**steve-z17** · 02-17-2011, 09:13 PM

Haha, he's eatin' his words now!

**Waaasobe** · 02-17-2011, 10:34 PM

Good Sony would end up loosing so much money if they ended pulling out of iTunes. Think about it every one has an iPod or an iPhone and iTunes is basically the main hub from where they get almost all their music so it would be unwise to pull out.

**Dave_Xiavia** · 02-18-2011, 04:31 AM

They backed out of it because they are blouses. Straight up.

**NSXrebel** · 02-18-2011, 08:19 AM

Game. Blouses.

**Harambur** · 02-18-2011, 08:52 AM

100 percent agree. I never did much pirating, but people look at me crazy when I tell them I buy my music from iTunes. You can't beat the convenience of one click buy and you are done.

Originally Posted by feidhlim1986

Truth is I didn't pay for a lot of it until I got an iPhone. Now I'll buy an album straight to my iPhone cos I'm too lazy to search the various other "outlets". So moral of the story is, having an iPhone stopped me pirating music

**The Amazing Atheist** · 02-18-2011, 09:24 AM

Sony does something smart for once

**xIBlasphamat1c** · 02-18-2011, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by NSXrebel

Game. Blouses.

Pancakes? You can't make that up.

**EskimoRuler** · 02-20-2011, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by TheDirtyDiddler

If "losing tons of money" is the same thing as "beating the crap out of Apple" then sure.

i know right

this is just Sony's way of biting their tongue and keep things they same way. They might not have like what happen with the reader but they are still a big contributor to your sales of music

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Thread: Sony Backs Away from Talk of Pulling Content from iTunes

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Last Friday, on the heels of Sony's hurt feelings over Apple's rejection of the Sony e-reader application, speculation rose that Sony may withdraw the music it currently makes available through