In a bit of big-sounding non-news, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Universal Music Group may notify Apple Inc. that it will not be renewing a long-term contract to sell Universal’s recordings through Apple’s iTunes Music Store. Universal would not remove its catalog from iTunes at this time, but would continue to partner with Apple under a short-term deal, leaving Universal free to back out on short notice. Is this just an attempt to get better terms from Apple, or are the big labels growing scared of Apple’s increasing clout (as of last week, they are the nation’s third-largest music retailer) and starting to think about alternatives?


Universal Music May Seek Shorter iTunes-Sales Pact (Wall Street Journal, $)
Apple Now Third-Largest US Music Retailer (Reuters)