Dislikers of Godsmack rejoice

The public got wind of an unfortunate new streaming policy from Universal Music Group, months in execution already, after an artist explained it to her fans on MySpace.

Fans complained when artist Colbie Caillat limiting her streaming songs to 90-second clips. Caillat reported that Universal had asked her label to comply to its new 90-second policy.

"Every Universal label has to comply immediately," Caillat added.

According to Reuters, a UMG source confirmed the policy. Universal worries on-demand streaming is cutting into the need to buy tracks or albums. Streaming music has thus been limited to 90-second clips, or songs containing promotional voice-over messages.

The policy is a few months old and applies to all online services.

Some services, with which UMG has a commercial licensing relationship compensating them for each stream, are not included in the arrangement.