Is Skype Ringtones a Prelude to EBay/Skype Launching an iTunes Competitor?

[mandy]

In a smart youth oriented marketing move, Warner Music Group will make available master recordings from WMG’s roster of world-renowned recording artists as ringtones to the more than 74 million registered users of Skype.

What does this have to do with search? This is one of the first major partnerships announced by Skype since its acquisition by eBay. Mix eBay, Paypal, Skype and music downloads into a mixing bowl and the end result is massive potential for a Skype eBay powered music downloads store which uses such internal marketing tools as Ringtones and user to user suggestions and messaging.

full article: http://www.searchenginejournal.com/index.php?p=2854

[mandy]

Update:

Ebay's Skype inks online music deal

Ebay, following the launch of a new retail-like shopping service this week, may be preparing to enter the music download business through its Skype subsidiary and compete with Apple's iTunes. Skype has inked agreements with EMI Music Publishing and Warner Music Group to sell music from its internet store...

full article: http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/06/04/24/...ine.music/