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Japan Watchdog Warns Companies For Unfair Moves In Ringtone Market
Published on:
TOKYO (AP)--Japan's antimonopoly regulator on Thursday ordered five major Japanese record label and software companies to stop an illegal attempt to dominate the domestic market in mobile phone ringtones.
The Fair Trade Commission warned Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (6758.TO), Avex Network Inc. (7860.TO), Toshiba EMI Ltd. (EMI.LN), Victor Entertainment Inc. and the Universal Music Group (UMG.XX) about unfairly blocking new entrants by exclusively selling the rights to songs to their joint venture, Label Mobile Inc., according to a statement on the commission's Web site.
Sony Music Entertainment spokesman Yasushi Ide said commission's decision was "not based on fact" but that the company was still considering its response. Victor Entertainment and Toshiba EMI also said they were mulling a response. Avex and Universal couldn't be reached for comment.
Music on mobile phones is popular in Japan, where the ringtone market was estimated to be worth US$100 million in 2004.
The service, provided by companies that pay royalties to record labels and artists, is expected to comprise a bigger chunk of record company revenues in coming years, though analysts worry that disputes over music royalties could hamper growth.
-Edited by Marissa Chew
(END) Dow Jones Newswires"
Tags: [toshiba] [ringtone] [universal music] [sony music] [sony music entertainment] [universal music group]
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