Universal’s ‘TotalMusic’
p2pnet news | Music:- Sony is praying its ding-a-ling ringles will at least temporarily halt the precipitous plummet of CDs, with Universal Music Group going along for the ride.
They’re wasting their time, but Universal has more than that up its sleeve, from all appearances.
Unnamed sources have offered details about TotalMusic, a “comprehensive” Universal subscription plan, says Digital Music News.
The post goes on:
According to numerous executives familiar with the plan, it would also force opt-in among existing ISP subscribers, a structure that automatically bumps monthly access charges in exchange for a subscription-based music plan.
Subscription-based downloads with ISPs acting as bagmen for the Big 4?
“However, Universal has faced difficulty rallying ISPs around the concept, largely because of the forced bump in monthly access fees and the lack of billing transparency,” says the story, going on, “Sources also noted that other labels would have to agree to various terms, pricing, and contract points, a complicated and difficult process.”
The DMS story begs a number of interesting questions, for example:
- What exactly does “force opt-in among existing ISP subscribers” mean?
- How much would the service cost add to fees?
- What format(s) – mp3? streaming? – is/are envisaged?
- Will downloads arrive locked and loaded with DRM and if not, will subscribers ‘own’ them?
- And if they DO ‘own’ downloads, will they be able to share them?
- How total is Total? Would the service include offerings from the other three cartel members, Warner Music, EMI and Sony BMG and, possibly, independents?
Definitely stay tuned.
Also See:
ding-a-ling ringles – Ringles: ’souped-up’ CD singles, September 11, 2007
Digital Music News – Universal Music Sketches Subscription Concept, Details Emerge, September 10, 2007
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September 11th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
-What exactly does “force opt-in among existing ISP subscribers” mean?
They have to be careful here, I believe this may be illegal in some places (adding it to existing contracts, new contracts may not
have an option)
-How much would the service cost add to fees?
Ok, let’s apply the old corporation standard, ‘Whatever Is Best For Our Sharholders’ (’WIBFOS’), AKA ‘would you like lube for an extra $5M?’ AKA ‘Whatever is best for me, and my bonus/pay agreement’
Hmmm, that would mean it’ll be too much of course, but they will give it descriptors like fair, etc, just so it appears less painful
-What format(s) – mp3? streaming? – is/are envisaged?
Again applying the ‘WIBFOS’ : it’ll be infected with DRM
-Will downloads arrive locked and loaded with DRM and if not, will subscribers ‘own’ them?
You answer your own question here “Subscription-based downloads with ISPs acting as bagmen for the Big 4?”
Subcription == music rental A.K.A the big bendover
-And if they DO ‘own’ downloads, will they be able to share them?
Applying ‘WIBFOS’: See above answer, and ‘consumers’ must supply own lube.
-How total is Total? Would the service include offerings from the other three cartel members, Warner Music, EMI and Sony BMG and, possibly, independents?
Ok now you got me laughing ‘WIBFOS’ of course, so if they will supply ‘product’ from those they can screw the most, usually only their own artisits (you can take that to mean ‘owned artists’)
September 12th, 2007 at 5:43 am
I think a LOT of ISPs would go to court, if they ever tried to force this on them. There is still such a thing as free choice, though it is dwindling down more and more everyday…I just don’t see legally how the record companies could force an ISP into this.
September 12th, 2007 at 8:41 am
“…‘consumers’ must supply own lube…”
Lube sold separately, of course