Amazon music store DRM-free, but watermarked
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Just when you thought Big Brother wasn’t going to watch you pay for your track at Amazon, someone figured out that these DRM-free cuts are still watermarked. But, rather than stir up rumors and the whirlwind of denial that most companies open with, Amazon has copped to it. However, they were quick to pawn the blame onto the labels providing them with the tracks, saying: "Amazon does not apply watermarks. Files are generally provided to us from the labels and some labels use watermarks to identify the retailer who sold the tracks (there is no information on the tracks that identifies the customer)." At this point, it doesn’t look like there are any privacy issues, but it doesn’t make it any less frustrating to see.
On Sep 26, 2007 @ 4:41 pm, Stefan H Said:
It doesn’t seem to me that the watermark is an issue. Is there something I am missing? I’m glad Amazon stepped up to the plate to offer the DRM free MP3’s. Although they currrently only have two of the top 4 labels, I’m thinking the other two will join on if it is successful which I believe it will be.
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On Sep 26, 2007 @ 4:41 pm, Mike Said:
Who cares? The songs had played perfectly on everything I’ve tried so far.
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On Sep 26, 2007 @ 4:45 pm, Brian Said:
Matlab graphs? Nice.
As long as there is a legitimate competitor to certain russian sites that actually pay the appropriate fees to Americans (more importantly, the bands…) then I’m all for it.
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On Sep 26, 2007 @ 4:51 pm, JHP2 Said:
Very interesting article.
Actually, I’m not sure about this.
Good to know though
I think we just need to research DRM.
Nevertheless, this is just a developing story.
Ahhh, who knows.
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On Sep 26, 2007 @ 5:03 pm, hiphopdied Said:
Lol well I’m anti apple, and anti itunes, so this is still a great alternative no matter what. I think apple has some serious competition here!! 1st NBC gone, now this…. Geez what could be next???
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On Sep 26, 2007 @ 5:06 pm, LDCMobile Said:
This won’t break iTunes that’s for certain. It will certainly make it more enticing for people who are anti-apple or anti-iTunes to get into the legitimate business of online music distribution.
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On Sep 26, 2007 @ 5:35 pm, Viswakarma Said:
Do you expect the Music Labels to be altruistic? This is just a game to snare the public with hidden traps! Amazon seems to be either an unwitting participant or a co-conspirator in this new ploy to get the music lovers in to a trap!
Pity the poor suckers who are walking into the Amazon-fronted Music Label Companies Trap!
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On Sep 26, 2007 @ 5:44 pm, dani Said:
It might not break iTunes, but it certainly is good competition. The service is compatible with iTunes, and the songs download directly to your iTunes library. I’d say Amazon has a better shot than any other download service.
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On Sep 26, 2007 @ 5:51 pm, Isis Said:
well i would like to hear the difference…
i almost went to buy some music from there today after i read your other article but i think i will hold off on amazon for a bit
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On Sep 26, 2007 @ 6:21 pm, Terrin Said:
It isn’t like Apple doesn’t want to provide DRM free music. However, Universal doesn’t like Apple. In fact, until last month Universal blasted Apple for supporting DRM free music. This is Universal’s attempt to see if it can unseat Apple’s dominance. It probably is giving Amazon a price break, and a six month right to sell DRM music, while not allowing Apple to do the same.
If Amazon’s store is successful, undoubtedly people will see two things happen 1) either the price of music goes up everywhere, including on iTunes, or 2) iTunes will be no more and music will go up in price everywhere. People should keep in mind the DRM Free music is only a six month experiment for Universal.
I like Amazon the company, but would never buy music from them, just because I hate the labels.
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On Sep 26, 2007 @ 6:24 pm, Terrin Said:
You are probably anti-consumer as well. Universal isn’t given Amazon better price rates, and DMR free music while denying Apple the ability to do the same out of the goodness of its heart. No it is giving you sugar now, to hit you in the pocket later. It will be able to do this once iTunes loses its negotiating strength.
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On Sep 26, 2007 @ 11:22 pm, Andrew Fong Said:
So buy lots of DRM-free music at 89 cents. Six months from now, if they stop providing DRM-free music or drastically raise prices, stop buying. Labels’ll get the message. It’s not as if music is a necessity or as if there aren’t certain Russian alternatives out there.
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On Sep 27, 2007 @ 2:59 am, LDCMobile Said:
When I hear the reference Russian alternatives… I think to myself that’s just either being naive or just believing that there really is such a thing as a “free lunch”
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On Sep 27, 2007 @ 9:35 pm, ShortFuse Said:
If you want to check if the files are watermarked, get the same song twice using different different customer information and compare the two files (crc32, md5, or via hexeditor)
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