Solving the Music Problem:
Like every other Apple head, I celebrated when the iTunes music store launched. Finally a pain-and-guilt free way of downloading music. Then I looked closer. Then I got screwed.
Everything you download from Apple is given protection from copying called DRM (Digital Rights Management). That means you pretty much can’t do anythng with the music you buy other than load it on to your iPod. Can’t send it to a friend, can’t dice it up for your podcasts, can’t really even copy it onto another computer. And if you buy a replacement iPod/computer/friend, be prepared to go through your entire music collection to see if it’s still there.
I finally got so annoyed with this setup that, if I wanted a song, I’d buy it on iTunes, download it illegally then delete the iTunes version. At least this way, I’d paid for a song and could use it how I liked. Also at this time, I maintained a membership with emusic (still do), which offers songs in free-and-clear mp3 format but has a catalog largely focused on indepedent and overlooked music. It’s a noble endeavor but I’m simply not that cool.
Enter All of MP3, a music store with both a deep catalog and worry free formating. It charges based on song size so an average 5 minute tune is roughly $.20, a full album $1.50. I hear they are based in Russia because I can’t imagine how else they get away with this.
No matter. Finally I’m both paying for music (which feels good) and getting it free from silly restrictions. Which feels better.
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20 Replies to “Solving the Music Problem:”
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While it might feel good to pay for downloads from All of MP3, do artists actually get compensated for the downloads? It sounds like it’s questionably legal in the US. See here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AllOfMP3.com
While it might feel good to pay for downloads from All of MP3, do artists actually get compensated for the downloads? It sounds like it’s questionably legal in the US. See here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AllOfMP3.com
A fair question. I’d say it’s a partial solution not a complete one.
A fair question. I’d say it’s a partial solution not a complete one.
Yeah, is confusing. I just think that if AllOfMP3 is just using loopholes in Russian law to keep your money without paying labels/musicians, then it’s pretty much no different than downloading the songs illegally. Another option is to just buy CDs. SFs got great record stores! Amoeba!
Yeah, is confusing. I just think that if AllOfMP3 is just using loopholes in Russian law to keep your money without paying labels/musicians, then it’s pretty much no different than downloading the songs illegally. Another option is to just buy CDs. SFs got great record stores! Amoeba!
It does, Matt and if I fall in love with a band, I just go ahead and buy the CD. At Ameoba or Streetlight records. But that doesn’t solve the paying-17$-for-one-song problem.
It does, Matt and if I fall in love with a band, I just go ahead and buy the CD. At Ameoba or Streetlight records. But that doesn’t solve the paying-17$-for-one-song problem.
What the heck is a CD? Can I get one while I’m at work at three in the afternoon when I’ve got a song stuck in my head that I have to hear NOW?
What the heck is a CD? Can I get one while I’m at work at three in the afternoon when I’ve got a song stuck in my head that I have to hear NOW?
Yeah, no perfect solution, especially the 17 bucks for one song. I say if it’s just a couple songs, grab them from Limewire or wherever. The Russian thing just sounds like they’re taking your money.
Erica – long ago, before the webs, people solved this problem by blowing off work and heading to the Record Store. 🙂 I’m just saying, if you want your music guilt free and in a flexible format, CDs are still the best way to go.
Yeah, no perfect solution, especially the 17 bucks for one song. I say if it’s just a couple songs, grab them from Limewire or wherever. The Russian thing just sounds like they’re taking your money.
Erica – long ago, before the webs, people solved this problem by blowing off work and heading to the Record Store. 🙂 I’m just saying, if you want your music guilt free and in a flexible format, CDs are still the best way to go.
Matt, no pickin’ on the youngins’. 🙂
And yes, while CDs are a great way to show loyalty to a musician “free and flexible they are not. Not with increasing DRM restrictions being embedded in them and that Fool’s Errand Sony tried to pull not too long ago. Record Companies still think it’s up to them how you listen to or share your music even AFTER you’ve bought it. “Flexible” would be “you paid for it. Now it’s yours.”
Matt, no pickin’ on the youngins’. 🙂
And yes, while CDs are a great way to show loyalty to a musician “free and flexible they are not. Not with increasing DRM restrictions being embedded in them and that Fool’s Errand Sony tried to pull not too long ago. Record Companies still think it’s up to them how you listen to or share your music even AFTER you’ve bought it. “Flexible” would be “you paid for it. Now it’s yours.”
Yeah, good point – not really guilt free when the labels (big ones, anyway) take most of the money, anyway. Even more reason not to buy stuff from Sony? I agree, it’s getting ridiculous.
Yeah, good point – not really guilt free when the labels (big ones, anyway) take most of the money, anyway. Even more reason not to buy stuff from Sony? I agree, it’s getting ridiculous.
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