> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hypebot.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Will Labels Use Or Abuse iTunes Variable Pricing?
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/will-labels-use-or-abuse-itunes-variable-pricing/
- Published: 2009-03-27T09:32:46.000Z
- Updated: 2009-03-27T09:32:46.000Z
- Description: Following months of lobbying by the major labels, the iTunes store will add variable pricing on April 7th. Tracks will be priced at $.69, $.99 and $1.29. There''s been no. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2009/03/will-labels-use-or-abuse-itunes-variable-pricing.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Uncategorized, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:03

[![Hypebot 002](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201156e711da8970c-450wi)](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201156e711da8970c-pi?ref=hypebot.com)  

Following months of lobbying by the major labels, the iTunes store will add variable pricing on April 7th. Tracks will be priced at $.69, $.99 and $1.29\. There''s been no official word as to which downloads will be sold as various price points, but presumably some older catalog will be reduced in price; while some hit product will be cost 30% more than before.

But will the major labels use this opportunity to lower overall prices or abuse it by trying to ring a few extra pennies from the few paying customers that have left? TAG's Ted Cohen wrote on the [MidemNet blog](http://midemnetblog.typepad.com/midemnet%5Fblog/2009/03/variable-pricing-what-it-should-really-mean.html?ref=hypebot.com), "As we continue to try to wean a whole generation off of 'free,' it's critical that we don't 'jump the shark' at this juncture." Jim Guerinot, who manages Nine Inch Nails, No Doubt and Offspring told the [LA Times](http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cotown-itunes26-2009mar26,0,5579880.story?ref=hypebot.com), "Wouldn't it make sense to try to price it cheaper instead of squeezing the handful of people who are still willing to pay for music?"

If recent [major label behavior](https://www.hypebot.com/is-imeem-in-trouble/) is any indication, the labels search for revenue will almost certainly trump reason and the demands of the consumer.