Universal Music doesn’t like iLike

Peter Kafka over at Silicon Alley Insider wrote an interesting piece about Universal Music’s noted absence from iLike’s music selection.

Kafka seems to think Universal’s absence is due to its insistence of creating an ‘exposure for payment’ model when it comes to sampling music snippets.

In the past both companies had relied on a company called Muze to act as a licensing middle man to allow music sampling.
Universal seems to think that internet users should pay for

hearing ‘free samples’ of their artist. Kafka also goes on to point out that power houses like Microsoft and iMeem are paying tariffs for the right to play with UMG artist.

While none of the afore mentioned companies have the volume or reach as Apple, it is always interesting to see how attacking easier targets helps create precedent for taking on the big guys. Look out Apple, UMG might be at your door soon.