Comments on: Amazon music store DRM-free, but watermarked

By: ShortFuse

ShortFuse — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:35:24 +0000

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)

By: LDCMobile

LDCMobile — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:59:06 +0000

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”

By: Andrew Fong

Andrew Fong — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 03:22:35 +0000

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.

By: Terrin

Terrin — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:24:31 +0000

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.

By: Terrin

Terrin — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:21:19 +0000

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.

By: Isis

Isis — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:51:08 +0000

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

By: dani

dani — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:44:44 +0000

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.

By: Viswakarma

Viswakarma — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:35:34 +0000

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!

By: LDCMobile

LDCMobile — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:06:50 +0000

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.

By: hiphopdied

hiphopdied — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 21:03:55 +0000

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???

By: JHP2

JHP2 — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:51:42 +0000

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.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:45:12 +0000

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.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:41:59 +0000

Who cares? The songs had played perfectly on everything I’ve tried so far.

By: Stefan H

Stefan H — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:41:05 +0000

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.