Year: 2010

Overall music sales declined by US$1.3 billion in 2009, but digital downloads grew $363 million to $4.3 billion. And Apple’s iTunes represented more than a quarter of total digital and retail U.S. sales, notes “AppleInsider” (http://www.appleinsider.com)

The figures come from a new Recording Industry in Numbers report from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. As reported by paidcontent.co.uk, global digital music sales grew 9.2% in 2009, and now make up over a quarter of total music income. This as the worldwide market decreased by 7.2%o $17 billion.

Needham & Company analyst Charles Wolf told clients in a note today that Apple’s retail stores have attracted lots of users from the Windows world and play a pivotal role in the Apple-Microsoft competition.

“[The Apple Stores] have become a magnet in attracting Windows users to the Mac platform,” says Wolf.

Microsoft and HTC have signed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for HTC’s mobile phones running the Android mobile platform. Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will receive royalties from HTC. And the deal may help HTC in its legal fight with Apple.

Last month Apple filed a lawsuit against HTC for infringing on 20 Apple patents related to the iPhone’s user interface, underlying architecture and hardware. The lawsuit was filed concurrently with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and in U.S. District Court in Delaware.