• GigaOm, Friday, May 20, 2011 11:05 AM

Apple is close to locking up a deal with every major music label in advance of launching its own cloud music service, according to Bloomberg. CNET reported previously that EMI Music and Warner Music Group are now on board The Mac-maker has reportedly signed on Sony Music, leaving just Universal Music Group as the last of the four major labels with no agreement in place.

Google and Amazon have both already launched cloud music offerings without the support of record labels, after negotiations between labels and the two companies reportedly failed to reach an acceptable agreement prior to launch. It's unclear yet what exactly Apple will gain by securing licensing deals with labels prior to launch, but they probably won't have to tiptoe so carefully around potential copyright gray areas.

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