By Jim McCarthy Apr 21, 2010 3 comments

Apple Going into the Live Business

This is a big deal.

Apple filed a patent for a ticket selling protocol.  Here’s a snippet from the Musically article I linked above:

“The latest Apple patent to hint at its future music plans is for a service called Concert Ticket, which would take the form of an iPhone and desktop application.

It’s described as an “iTunes based web service for tickets that will naturally enhance the iTunes music empire”. It includes e-tickets distributed to the handset, maps to the event, song lyrics, the ability to buy a live recording of the gig, virtual coupons for free drinks, and social features to find other fans at the concert.”

Does it surprise me that Apple would be looking for ways to get into the Live business?  Of course, it doesn’t.

In fact, how Live 2.0 is it that just as digital music sales drop for the first time ever, we get word that Apple is exploring the live ticketing business?

Very Live 2.0, that’s how.

From Apple's Filed Patent (from the website patentlyapple.com)

From Apple's Filed Patent (from the website patentlyapple.com)

My instanlysis: Apple sees that the live product is at the top of the consumer food chain for what they want.  They buy (or steal) recordings as a poor substitute for the thing they really lust for, which is a rich experience.  Now, I’m not saying that every live entertainment experience is great.  In fact, as an industry, we’ve got some work to do to make sure we wow people, but what I am saying is that there’s a desire in the consumer for what the live industry has to offer.

Obviously Apple sees it, and since they’re already integrated into the lives of their customers on so many levels, why wouldn’t they be working on ways to get into the part of their customers entertainment desires that are the peak of what people want?

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3 Comments

  • Tim
    April 21st, 2010

    How can they patent this? What am I missing that makes this unique?

    Might have to figure out how to do a prior art challenge.

  • Jim McCarthy
    April 22nd, 2010

    Can’t say I know, Tim. Maybe there’s something in here that’s not obvious based on the info that’s being reported.

  • Frank Neill
    April 26th, 2010

    Jim,

    Great post. The only thing surprising about this move is that Apple hasn’t done it sooner. Building this capability into the iTunes ecosystem will make it easy for consumers to make ticket purchases in an safe environment that they’re comfortable navigating.