August 26, 2004

Japanese Music Companies Are Raided

Japan's anti-monopoly agency raided several top record companies Thursday on suspicion they illegally blocked other firms from offering music ringtone services to mobile phone users, according to the Associated Press.

"Fair Trade Commission official Toshihiko Oizumi said investigators suspect more than 10 companies violated Japan's fair trade laws by preventing the Japanese mobile phone operators from offering the service.

Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music, EMI-Toshiba Ltd., Avex Inc., Victor Entertainment Inc. and Label Mobile Inc. were among those raided, said Oizumi. He refused to disclose all the record companies' names.

Experts estimate that Japanese download some 300,000 songs a day to their mobile phones".

emily | 6:16 PM | Copyright Protection | Add this this entry to your del.icio.us bookmarks. Digg This Technorati search results for this Entry
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