It seems although the largest record company in the world, Universal, and Steve Jobs, who sells the most music online, are having a little argument.  Steve Jobs likes to have things at Apple running his way.  Can't blame him for that, but would he let his largest music supplier slip away from him?

As a music lover, I really have to side with Steve Jobs on this one.  Universal wants more (or better, all) control over their music being sold on iTunes.  This can only be bad.  This would sadly mean no chance for a DRM-free future and an increase in music costs online.  Don't think this would be an only iTunes thing either.  The only reason Universal isn't after Microsoft yet is most likely because Microsoft gives a small (like a penny or two) cut of the profits from each Zune sold.

Universal has come out and said that it does not plan on renewing it's contract with Apple.  Rather it will sell tracks as it wishes.  Meaning they decide the price and hold the right to withdraw any or all of their tracks of iTunes at any giving time.  While these may lead to special promotions with occasional cheaper songs, it will also lead to popular songs to become more expensive.  Needles to say, Steve is not very happy about this.

Apple recently said that negations were still going on, and nothing had been decided yet.  I somewhat doubt that Apple is going to let Universal get away with this though.  It would be a safe bet that Apple is handing over a few bags of cash to keep Universal happy and things will be back to normal soon.

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