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"We are talking to the labels on a daily basis about getting to some sort of resolution. We think that's important for our company, but also for the music industry."
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MP3.com About To Get Cozy With One
Of The Big Five
Just one day after its first-ever stockholders meeting, MP3.com has stepped up its efforts to land licensing deals with the major label groups. A settlement between MP3.com and at least one major-label litigant is expected very soon, sources said.

Insiders said Warner Music Group, the only RIAA plaintiff with its own attorney in the mix, will probably be the first to cut a deal, but BMG and Sony are not far behind. "We are very close," an inside source said.

WMG and MP3.com official could not be reached for comment.

Speculators speculate that WMG may be leading the pack in an attempt to underscore its support of digital-music competition and thus distract Federal regulators from its pending mergers with AOL and EMI.

Following the lawsuit, the RIAA has been seeking $100 million in payment for past indiscretions and then individual licensing agreements with the labels would be priced accordingly. No word as to whether MP3.com has agreed to pay that $100 million. Negotiations between MP3.com and the labels have been continuous since before the trial started.

MP3.com chiefs michael robertson',390,400);">michael robertson',390,400);">Michael Robertson and Robin Richards told shareholders Wednesday that the company intends to be a friend to the major labels.

"We're really excited about MP3.com's opportunity to work with the labels," said Robertson at the meeting, held at the company's San Diego headquarters. "Obviously, we lost in the lower court, and we're disappointed with that, because we think our technology is complementary and built in a very responsible way. We are talking to the labels on a daily basis about getting to some sort of resolution. We think that's important for our company, but also for the music industry."

At the meeting, the two execs downplayed the adversarial stance the company often struck prior to the court's decision.

MP3.com is ''working diligently with all licensing bodies to secure licensing going forward," said Richards, referring to MP3.com's recent deal with BMI.

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