Skype not going after iTunes
Marguerite Reardon Former senior reporter
Marguerite Reardon started as a CNET News reporter in 2004, covering cellphone services, broadband, citywide Wi-Fi, the Net neutrality debate and the consolidation of the phone companies.
Several publications have run stories in the last day or two saying that Skype plans to launch an online music store that could rival Apple's iTunes.
But a Skype PR person has denied that is the case. The company has struck deals with several music publishers including EMI Music Publishing to sell music ringtones, not full length music tracks.
"There have been stories out there saying Skype is challenging iTunes, and that is not the case at all," said Erica Jostedt, a spokeswoman for Skype. "We won't be selling full songs, and there are no plans for selling music online other than in the form of a ringtone."