Napster versus ReplayMusic
An interesting scenario has recently emerged: while the new Napster allows you to download as many tracks as you want, and listen to them on your PC, and now, with Napster To Go, on any compatible devise, anytime you want [as long as you keep subscribing], the new Replay Music boasts that it can take all these supposedly secured WMA files and re-encode them into MP3s that you can own 'free and clear'.
This is from their website: "Replay Music captures MP3 files from both subscription music services and online radio stations. Every song is saved on your PC as a high quality MP3 file, automatically tagged with the artist, song title, album and genre, and perfectly separated into individual tracks. You can even burn songs directly to CDs. Plus, it's incredibly easy to use. What a great way to discover new music! What's Different about Replay Music? Unlike other recorders which just work with a few ShoutCast stations, Replay Music is the only product that works with both high quality online radio stations and popular subscription music services...."
Wow! I had people telling me that it works perfectly - as advertised ;) -, turning all subscription services and even webcasters and online radio stations into ... you guessed it, open celestial jukeboxes. MyMp3.com anyone? Now, you may argue, who would bother? Well, I checked on various use groups and blogs - and a LOT of people do this now, in increasing numbers. In fact, it is becoming a bit of an alternative to p2p filesharing, and the web flows over with 'how-to' manuals on this stuff. Check out this dialog Now, the Replay Music people sell it for $50 - and there isn't much that can be done to stop these kinds of software programs, since they are not per se infringing, imho. After all, ProTools and Cool Edit and Sound Forge are recording tools, as well, and can be used for this purpose (albeit less conveniently so). And of course, Window's own RECORDER does the job just fine.
Right or wrong? Legitimate or illegal? Unfair? Let me hear your comments --- this is a hot subject.
It was only a matter of time before music subscription services were to be hacked. Legality and business model discussions aside, I'm excited for music subscription services such as iRadio, Napster To Go, and Musicgremlin to hit the shelves. Subscription distribution models can be great for independent artists. With playlists and tracks that aren't limited by radio rotation requirements, listeners can dig deeper into less mainstream music to find new bands. It's great for independent acts, as well as the music industry itself.
My 2 cents,
Mike
www.GarageSpin.com
Posted by: Mike | February 15, 2005 at 09:26 PM