Of late, I've been doing something with increasing frequency. No, it's nothing immoral or furtively sexual. In a way, it's more not doing something. Let me explain. I've been walking into music shops such as HMV with the express intention of walking out with a particular CD. Four or five times, I've walked out without the CD. It's not for lack of stock in the store, or lack of cash in my hand. No, the lack of purchase has come down to a few little words: WILL NOT PLAY ON PC/MAC.
Now, let's be clear here. I'm a writer. I make my living by creating easily copied material. Thus, I am deeply opposed to piracy and did not use Napster and its ilk. However, because I'm a writer, I do the majority of my music listening when sat at a computer. Indeed, my purchase of an iPod has meant that I buy more music. With more opportunities to listen to music (the train, the gym, the car, the garden…) my desire for it increases. Thus, MP3 is good for sales, at least in my case.
I know I'm not alone in this. many students, for example, don't buy both a computer and stereo, they just use speakers with their PC and listen to music that way.
This is a dumb, dumb move on the record industry's part. It's not going to stop file sharing. Pirates will always look upon copy protection and they'll beat it within hours of release. All it will do is piss off non-techie users like myself, who wants to pay good money for music they like, but is being prevented from doing so.
Last lost sale: Episode II soundtrack in the supermarket, one hours ago.
Now, let's be clear here. I'm a writer. I make my living by creating easily copied material. Thus, I am deeply opposed to piracy and did not use Napster and its ilk. However, because I'm a writer, I do the majority of my music listening when sat at a computer. Indeed, my purchase of an iPod has meant that I buy more music. With more opportunities to listen to music (the train, the gym, the car, the garden…) my desire for it increases. Thus, MP3 is good for sales, at least in my case.
I know I'm not alone in this. many students, for example, don't buy both a computer and stereo, they just use speakers with their PC and listen to music that way.
This is a dumb, dumb move on the record industry's part. It's not going to stop file sharing. Pirates will always look upon copy protection and they'll beat it within hours of release. All it will do is piss off non-techie users like myself, who wants to pay good money for music they like, but is being prevented from doing so.
Last lost sale: Episode II soundtrack in the supermarket, one hours ago.
no subject
Date: 2002-04-30 05:15 pm (UTC)So in a way, this will help the smaller labels and gouge the crap out of Sony Music International. I love watching corporations shoot themselves in the head.
Isn't this also going to affect all online sellers of music? Shouldn't they be required to have the same warning label on their websites before you purchase? I think it would be ironic if CDNOW sues left and right for causing irrevocable harm to their business, either that or they agreed to the assinine plot a long time ago...one can dream.