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Has Apple confirmed indie film self-distribution?

March 8, 2008  | Filed under AppleTV, Distribution, iTunes

Apple content provider web siteThe holy grail of rumor confirmation is often a company executives slip-of-the-tongue, or an inadvertent web site posting. One of our astute readers (thanks Aaron) led me to this section of the Apple website. Do these few words confirm that Apple will soon allow indie filmmakers to distribute and sell their wares on iTunes?

We have discussed the probability of indie film self-distribution through AppleTV on this blog and podcast before (see episode 6). Apple already has a program in place for indie musicians. They can simply fill out an application, submit their work for review, and upload MP3 files to the iTunes Music Store.

The program is currently for music only, which the site states several times. However, at one point the site mentions promoting “your music, TV show, or movie” right after the paragraph on submitting your content. (see image above. highlight added.)

Bob Dylan on iTunesThe link in that sentence leads to the iTunes Affiliate Program, which allows anyone with a web site to post links to iTunes content, and receive a commission on a sale. For example, here’s a link to a cool Bob Dylan Album. Buy a song through this link and Apple will send me a nickel!

But the sentence uses the word “your” when referring to music and movies. Does it simply mean your favorite movie, or literally your movie. One might think the former were it not on a page all about uploading and selling your user-created content. The previous paragraph is titled “Submit your content” and this paragraph is titled “Market your content.”

Steve Jobs - CEO of Apple Computer - App Store pricing structureEarlier this week, Apple started another program for indie devlopers to sell iPhone applications in a similar fashion, with one big difference. The developer sets the price. This is a unique option that Apple does not even offer major music publishers or film studios.

Are we soon to see a similar program for indie film producers? Even disregarding this little web clue, I think so and here is why.

But what do you think? Is this a slip up that confirms Apples future indie plans? Or is it just a oddly worded phrase into which I am reading way too much. Post your feedback in the comment section and let me know.

Ahh, the internet. There is no better place to over-analyze minutia.

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Comments

2 Responses to “Has Apple confirmed indie film self-distribution?”

  1. Realtosh on March 13th, 2008 10:07 am

    I believe that Apple will eventually add ways for independent musicians, film makers, and producers of all types of independent audio and video products to be able to distribute on iTunes. It’s a big overlooked market that would be highly profitable for the content creators and iTunes, and cuts out the middlemen.

    Apple is first lining up rights to the catalogue of music and movies and TV productions; and trying to get agreements that would make sense for the iTunes users. Being seen as too aggressively trying to cut out the studios and record labels will make the negotiations with these content controllers even more difficult than they are already.

    However, the snippet above has nothing to do with this eventuality. The referenced link refers to the iTunes affiliate program which pays commission on any iTunes sales of any media the is referred from an affiliate. Just wishful thinking to connect these 2 disparate items.

  2. Anthony on May 2nd, 2008 5:03 pm

    Hi All,

    I think it would be pretty cool if Apple allowed indie film makers to promote and sell their movies..
    I’m just concern about the Majors’ issue that there is going to be.. I don’t think it is going to be so easy for Apple to open the doors to everybody..

    In the meantime I found pretty cool and interesting what a start-up like Zipidee is offering. It’s a kind of digital goods marketplace where everybody can upload his content (even indie/short movies), set the price you want and promote by tools such as Widget. This is the link to the Entertainment category: http://www.zipidee.com/zipidnewaddition.aspx?cat=Entertainment

    Let’s keep on share this info!

    Have a good one!

    Tony

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