Google Music to launch without Sony and Warner Bros.?

by Steven Mostyn - Nov 14 2011, 13:43

Although search giant Google is widely expected to formally launch its Google Music service this coming Wednesday, a rush of rumor suggests the Android-friendly platform will not be supported by all major music publishers.

Expected to be unveiled during its ‘These Go To Eleven’ media event on Nov. 16, Google’s ‘licensed’ music store will apparently be richly stocked with tracks from EMI and Universal Music Group—but scant little else.

That’s according to a CNET report that points to several industry sources when outlining that Google has thus-far been unable to secure licensing agreements with remaining major music publishers Sony BMG and Warner Brothers.

The report also indicates that, while publishers are eager to see Google launch a rival platform against Apple’s (fully licensed) iTunes Store, the online search specialist is still viewed in a poor light due to prior conflicts regarding YouTube copyright violations.

The Google Music store, which is presently in beta, is expected to enjoy a preliminary launch in the United States, before spreading to other territories in the coming weeks and months.

Google has not yet offered any official comment regarding which of the major music publishers it has reached agreement with.

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