Skype, eBay's Voice over Internet Protocol service, announced yesterday that it will make audio clips available for download as ringtones. The deal includes the following music publishers: EMI
Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music and the MCPS-PRS Alliance, Britain's association for author and publisher rights. Why they think users will want to download audio clips to
their computer for 50 cents more per download than iTunes--which gives you the full song for less--is anybody's guess. Not only that, but Skype users can also make their own ringtones by importing
audio clips from their computer's hard drive. Analysts say ringtones may just be the first step Skype is taking into the digital entertainment business; obvious second steps would be gaming and video
offerings. Others are not so sure people will feel compelled to download ringtones to their computer: who cares about making a statement with your ringtone when you're at home or at work?
Read the whole story at Business Week »
