http://tags.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gawker.com.png http://gawker.com/tag/valleywag/yahoomusic http://gawker.com/tag/valleywag/yahoomusic Ian Rogers, general manager of Yahoo Music, told music execs it's time to quit whining, grow up, and get rid of digital rights management — the copy-protection software that's the bane of music listeners everywhere. In a deliciously ranty presentation, Rogers explains how record labels forced Yahoo Music to build an annoying music software client to ensure the industry stayed in control of the music. Yahoo, says Rogers, won't put up with DRM's inconvenience anymore. Rogers says he'd rather quit the digital-music business than keep frustrating his users. "I personally don't have any more time to give and can't bear to see any more money spent on pathetic attempts for control instead of building consumer value." Ah, there's the keyword: "value." Is this really a high-minded protest — or an artful negotiating tactic to counter labels' demands to boost prices on DRM-free music?

]]> http://gawker.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=308801&view=rss&microfeed=true March 14 is set for the SXSW debut of Slacker, which is some part of the musicology initiative from Dennis Mudd (formerly of Musicmatch, sold to Yahoo in 2004) and tune-gadget dudes Jim Cady and Jonathan Sasse. Details are sketchy, as this new endeavor has only been described as an "internet music ecosystem," though it's part of the overall venture of the three execs' Broadband Instruments. Supposedly it incorporates a wireless-capable player, plus a "social aspect," and a kitchen sink or two. Hype is careful to couch it as a new, innovationary step forward, rather than an iPod-killer per se. More of an iPod-hurter, if all goes well. Will the strong prey upon the weak, as in any proper ecosystem? Developing.]]> http://gawker.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=243484&view=rss&microfeed=true When Dave Goldberg and Bob Roback walked out of Yahoo Music last week, Vince Broady, VP of TV, games, and entertainment, assumed custodianship of the music group while a replacement for Goldberg and Roback was sought. That replacement was not long in coming, and he comes from inside: Ian Rogers, VP of product development for Yahoo Music, will now take over the group. (Is anyone who works at Yahoo not a vice president?) Unless we're misunderstanding, generally unremarked in this shift is that Rogers will henceforth report to Broady, and the music group will go permanently under Broady's wing. Dollars to donuts this shift was already underway before, and may in fact be the otherwise unrevealed reason for Goldberg and Roback's huffy departure.]]> http://gawker.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=239306&view=rss&microfeed=true When Dave Goldberg and Bob Roback abruptly resigned from Yahoo Music, neither they nor Yahoo provided any particular explanation for the move. Yahoo gives only the "personal reasons" chestnut, with Goldberg and Roback declaring airy aspirations for a return to "entrepreneurial roots." The explanatory void leaves the tech media free to speculate, and they're all over the map.

Perhaps Goldberg and Roback left because of opposition to DRM, or due to Yahoo Music's overall troubles, or as part of a general exec exodus from Yahoo, or to join other former Yahoo execs' startups, or because Goldberg and Roback's original Yahoo-bought company, Launch Media, will be spun back out and sold (quickly denied by Yahoo). Interestingly, Goldberg was interviewed by Jason Calacanis for Santa Monica's KCRW on Monday; Goldberg supposedly resigned that evening. He didn't mention any departure plans in the interview, so either he knew and cheerfully kept his own counsel, or he got ambushed by some other development later in the day that prompted his immediate exit. Thoughts?]]> http://gawker.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=236581&view=rss&microfeed=true Per the item we had earlier today, both Paidcontent and CNET got releases from Yahoo confirming that Dave Goldberg and Bob Roback have indeed bailed from Yahoo Music. Hey Yahoo, where's our release? We might have known in advance, but we still like seeing your announcements in our lil' inbox. Anyway, reasons for the departures are cited as "personal" (more on that later, perhaps), with no animus in brief notes from the two execs. Vince Broady, noted up-and-comer and current head of Yahoo entertainment and games, will take over Yahoo Music.]]> http://gawker.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=236327&view=rss&microfeed=true A tipster informs us that Dave Goldberg, VP and general manager of music at Yahoo, resigned yesterday, along with top lieutenant Bob Roback. Goldberg and Roback came aboard in 2001 when Yahoo bought their company, Launch Media. No word yet as to the reason for their sudden exit.

UPDATE: Confirmed.]]> http://gawker.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=236238&view=rss&microfeed=true