I'll say that for now, it's in a legal "grey area". It's legal, but probably shouldn't be. But the real thing you should look at this is the reason that AllOfMP3 came to exist: people are willing to pay for DRM-free, no-nonsense music. I am an AllOfMP3 customer for now because while I totally support paying artists for their music, I was already uncomfortable with the little returns labels gave their artists from non-internet sales, and once DMCA and DRM started treating the customers like criminals, too, I just couldn't take it. I gladly give my money to eMusic since they are the only American DRM-free large-scale operation. I think that the labels are starting to see the benefit of treating their customers as valued individuals, so hopefully we'll see them back something like eMusic or AllOfMP3. Until then, screw 'em, I'll give money directly to independent artists, vote with my dollars at eMusic, and buy from AllOfMP3 to show the labels that giving choice and freedom will generate sales.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Zeke @ Dec 21st 2006 2:12PM
I'll say that for now, it's in a legal "grey area". It's legal, but probably shouldn't be. But the real thing you should look at this is the reason that AllOfMP3 came to exist: people are willing to pay for DRM-free, no-nonsense music.
I am an AllOfMP3 customer for now because while I totally support paying artists for their music, I was already uncomfortable with the little returns labels gave their artists from non-internet sales, and once DMCA and DRM started treating the customers like criminals, too, I just couldn't take it.
I gladly give my money to eMusic since they are the only American DRM-free large-scale operation. I think that the labels are starting to see the benefit of treating their customers as valued individuals, so hopefully we'll see them back something like eMusic or AllOfMP3.
Until then, screw 'em, I'll give money directly to independent artists, vote with my dollars at eMusic, and buy from AllOfMP3 to show the labels that giving choice and freedom will generate sales.