Spotify in the U.S.A.?

MARK THE SPOTIFY: Spotify plans to launch a U.S.-based service in the third quarter, according to SVP Paul Brown, who reiterated the company’s desire to secure enough server space to accommodate the site as well as ink licensing deals with the labels. There are also reportedly talks underway between the European streaming service and Google. So far, stateside music execs have resisted the company’s ad-supported, free on-demand streaming model, preferring a monthly paid premium service. Meanwhile, competitors such as MOG and Rhapsody are also eyeing the turf, with Apple’s plans for a cloud-based music service, based on last year’s acquisition of Lala, the elephant in the room. (3/26p)