Dael Source- iLike to debut downloads on Facebook
Something I couldn’t figure out when I first read that MySpace was trying to acquire iLike was why did iLike CEO Ali Partovi continue to pursue licensing deals in the weeks leading up to the acquisition. He must have known that MySpace Music already possessed rights to sell downloads. What would iLike need with its own agreements?
What this says is that contrary to what some sources have told me, MySpace is interested in iLike’s traffic and music service and not just on some bits of its technology.
Months ago, iLike began discussing music licensing deals with the four biggest recording companies. Last week, CNET News broke the news that the start-up’s download store was opening.
I don’t have it confirmed yet, but it appears iLike is preparing to integrate its new music download store into its popular Facebook application sometime soon.
But MySpace appears to be positioning itself to either force Facebook to boot iLike’s service and risk a public relations backlash, or allow MySpace, its main rival, to profit off of its audience. The situation has to be a little embarrassing for Facebook managers.
So it makes sense that Partovi continued to pursue the licensing agreements even after MySpace’s acquisition of the company looked inevitable.
On Wednesday, MySpace announced that it had aquired iLike for an undisclosed amount of money. The news that the two sides were close to the deal had leaked days ago, so it wasn’t a surprise.
The iLike acquisition isn’t going to change much, but it is something for MySpace to cheer about. For a long time, Facebook has thrashed Rupert Murdoch’s troops in almost every area.
Source: iLike to debut downloads on Facebook app
Greg Sandoval covers media and digital entertainment for CNET News. He is a former reporter for The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. E-mail Greg, or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sandoCNET.