Incorrigible Mogul Prepares To Once Again Do Battle With Major Label

So first Michael Robertson unveils MP3.com back in the digital music olden days, a company which eventually gets swallowed up by a major label after it’s almost litigated out of existence when it tries to allow users to upload and stream zillions of songs owned by other folks with serious lawyers. Then he starts another company which does basically the same thing (with updated technology), and is shocked when EMI serves his ass with another major lawsuit.

EMI’s complaint says MP3tunes’ two Web sites offer an integrated music service, allowing users to listen to music on their computers, obtain copies of songs online, transfer music to their computers and portable devices, and distribute it to others.

Sideload.com streams music to users, enabling them to listen to a wide array of music on demand, the complaint said.

Robertson sold MP3.com and “ultimately started this one as a vehicle to achieve a comparable infringing purpose,” the complaint read. “MP3tunes, however, does not own the music it exploits; nor does MP3tunes have any legal right or authority to use or exploit that music.”

Robertson claims that dinosaur EMI is just behind the times, man, and that the lawsuit “is really a shame because instead of using these technologies to improve their business they make an enemy of every technology company out there.” So, it’s kinda like the OiNKish “the music industry could learn something from our sweet technological architecture if only they’d chill” argument? Except wrapped-up in a three-piece CEO’s suit?

EMI Labels Sue Online Music Exec Robertson [Reuters UK]