we7 to p2pnet on DRM….
p2pnet news | P2P:- ‘Sony BMG partners DRM-laden We7,’ said a p2pnet headline yesterday, referring to Sony BMG’s deal with to We7.
However, we were wrong, so, “Our apologies to we7,” we said in an update, continuing:
“We described it [we7] as a free, DRM-ridden advertising-supported music streaming effort, backed by Peter Gabriel.
“But we misunderstood.”
we7 CTO Gareth Reakes said in a p2pnet Reader’s Write:
“I wanted to correct this article. We7 do not use DRM. All downloads are mp3 only and always have been. Its [sic] why taking the ad off is a bit complicated at the moment (you have to come back to site and re-download it). We do have a download manager coming out to help with this though.”
Said the Guardian article cited in our post:
“We7 already offers free music downloads. It attaches targeted adverts to a song for 30 days before they are removed by DRM software.”
So where’s the DRM software, and how does it strip off the ads after 30 days? – p2pnet wondered, also asking, “Do we7 tunes come with it on board, so to speak, or is it implanted on users’ computers together with downloads? And what is the software, exactly, and who makes it?”
Here’s Reakes’ response >>>
The guardian quote is incorrect. There is no DRM software. You download an mp3 with the ad (an mp3 cannot have DRM – its an open format that can be played but all mp3 players). After 30 days you come back to the site and download it again without the ad (using one of your credits). Alternatively, and you don’t have to use this, you can soon download a bit of software for iTunes that helps you by removing the ads without you having to come back to the site. This is not any kind of DRM – it places no restrictions on the playing of movement of the file. We make all our software.”
Said Simon in another comment post >>>
Ads at the start of a song? Way to piss on the concept of an album as something bigger than just a collection of songs. But then again, (and no offense intended), I feel these services are targeted to those who are less musically educated due to, in my experience, the limited artist selection to what’s popular and such said ideas which break down and dumb down the greater aspects of musical composition. When a good artist releases a solid album, its crafted to flow together and be an album; its a single entity to be enjoyed uninterrupted from start to finish.
Reakes’ answer >>>
We are trying to provide a third option. At the moment if someone wanted the well crafted album you speak of then they could either pay for it or steal it. Many many more people steal than buy. With our way, if you don’t want to or can’t pay (perhaps you just want to try the album before buying to see if you like it) then the artist will still get compensated for their work.
Steal, Gareth? You mean, like walk into a store, grab a CD and then walk out again without paying for it? That’s how the Big 4, Warner Music, EMI, Vivendi Universal —- and Sony BMG —- describe it.
And, “Many many more people steal than buy,” you state. That suggests hordes of music lovers blatantly shop-lifting and getting away with it.
If that’s not what you’re saying, what do you mean, exactly? Who’s stealing what? And how are they doing it? Please explain.
[ ... ] “perhaps you just want to try the album before buying to see if you like it …”
Like the P2P networks?
Through them, people have for years been trying before buying, and buy they do, if they like the music.
Stay tuned.
Jon Newton – p2pnet
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March 12th, 2008 at 9:33 am
When I say steal I mean get music without paying for it. In the online world you can either pay (going to a store such as iTunes/Amazon etc) and money will go back to labels and artists or you can use P2P to download and not pay but then no money goes to labels and artists are not compensated. You can try music with us legally and the artists will get paid without having to part with any of your well earned cash.
[NOTE: Gareth felt he hadnât properly explained himself in his first comment and at his request, Iâve replace it with the one above - Jon]
March 12th, 2008 at 9:47 am
This has so many holes in it that it is not worth the effort of responding.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I will never buy anything that benefit any of these RIAA/MPAA pigs.
SORRRRRRYYYYYYY!
March 12th, 2008 at 10:03 am
I think there is confusion as to just what DRM is. If all a program did was to strip an ad out or a song, that in no way would be drm. DRM stands for digital rights management, what is usually does is restrict formats to a specific player, or even worse, person. An example would be region coding on dvd’s, or a music format that only plays on one brand of player.
March 12th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Strip out the ad? There’s tons of software that does editing. Wait 30 days? You must be kidding.
March 12th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Gareth – better rewrite that again.
Nobody’s buyin’ it.
March 12th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
“Strip out the ad? Thereâs tons of software that does editing. Wait 30 days? You must be kidding.”
Sure there is, but this will work on the horse and buggy crowd who think Sine Wave is a song by the Beach Boys.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
“In the online world you can either pay (going to a store such as iTunes/Amazon etc) and money will go back to labels and artists”
Do you ever read the paper or listen to the radio or watch tv?
You do?
And you still believe that?
March 12th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
“When I say steal I mean get music without paying for it.”
- So turning on a radio is now stealing? MTV, VH1, and other TV music channels… all stealing. Listening to your friends collection? Stealing.
“In the online world you can either pay (going to a store such as iTunes/Amazon etc) and money will go back to labels and artists or you can use P2P to download and not pay but then no money goes to labels and artists are not compensated.”
- I would suggest looking into how Itunes and Amazon works as you appear to be confusing indie artists with labels. Specifically, follow the money trail (or rather the lack of one) from Labels -> Artists for digital sales.
“You can try music with us legally and the artists will get paid without having to part with any of your well earned cash.”
- I would suggest you do not give quotes or your “Word” based on assumptions or what the labels instruct you to say. Unless you are the one specifically putting the money in the artists’ hands, I would suggesting looking at the finances more closely. The advertisers are the ones paying the cash, but directly to the labels and this generates the same problem as Itunes/Amazon. See SoundExchange’s record on royalty payments to get the general idea of how efficient the industry tries to be.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:38 am
Most of you lazy freeloaders are trying to justify downloading content without paying for it. Now I am no RIAA/MPAA advocate but listen to yourselves. You listen to radio right ? Well it’s ad funded or paid for by the TV Licence which you pay for. You want to listen to something for free online then put up with ads. No such thing as a free lunch. Perhaps I can come into your house and sample your cooking. Muppets !