Slashdot Mirror

I haven't bought a CD (or even pirated modern music) in years (>4). When I discovered Andy McKee and his record company, where you can buy unprotected MP3 and transcriptions of his music, I spent >$100 on the equivalent of _one album_.

It's all about the content and the distribution method.

My standard response is - I have. I only buy from non RIAA affiliated artists.

I especially like candyrat. These artists are truly amazing.

It is founded by probably the most amazing guitar musicians of our time.

candyrat.com has a nice interface giving you the ability to preview (albeit at a preview bitrate) the tracks for 30 seconds.

They also offer CD's of some other artists.

It it the only store I have bought music from since the RIAA started they terror campaign.

I am very reluctant to buy any product that has DRM. I won't touch iTunes, bu-ray, hd-dvd, hdmi etc.

It might be hypocritical since I actually worked on products that enforce DRM, however from a marketing sense, I coulc not work if I didn't do so. Whenever I was asked, I told customers that DRM would always be broken because all the components to decipher the content was available at the player. I also said that the value chain breaks down with DRM and interoperability between different products breaks down because corps want their market advantage and so they have no interest in co-operating with DRM and hence interoperability will always fail between the corps. Since at least '99 I was told by others that I was not very helpful in the sales cycle of our products.

Hence the customer to our systems (labels/riaa/mpaa) is always right even if the customer is shooting itself in the foot.

Oh well.

I can say I'll never buy from itunes as long as they have DRM.

All the music I have purchased over the last 2 years has been from Candyrat records. Here you will find some very impressive artists, not the run-o-the-mill, overhyped bands and singers. They feature "NO DRM", high bitrate MP3's (I'd prefer OGG but I need to bitch about it) and many albums have an electronic equivalent of the album cover.

Why would I possibly consider tieing my hands with DRM or itunes even ?

I can answer that. When I spoke with an industry illuminary (to remain anonymous), and pointed out that any form of DRM is susceptible to piracy simply because of the nature of DRM. His answer to me was... no, you misunderstand, it's (DRM) not about stopping piracy, it's about making it difficult for average consumers to make copies. So, the good guy, who buys the music/video/whatever is who is being inconvenienced. Who in their right mind would buy a Ferrari with the gearbox stuck in 1st gear ? Apparently that's exactly what the music industry wants you to do.

So, I have only been buying music from non-RIAA affiliated artists with no Digital Restrictions Management. My favorite is Candyrat. Superb musicians can be found there. What would you do?

Just goes to you that the RIAA and all affiliated with it do not deserve your attention.

It's your time, your attention. Place your valuable time in artists who trust you and don't treat you like criminals.

We should start creating a list of idie labels that practice a more acceptable license - like this one from Candyrat Records.

They have 60 seconds of each track available to preview the music (again no DRM).

Plug - take a listen - It's real music - not some mass market crap pushed down your throat.

Just goes to you that the RIAA and all affiliated with it do not deserve your attention.

It's your time, your attention. Place your valuable time in artists who trust you and don't treat you like criminals.

We should start creating a list of idie labels that practice a more acceptable license - like this one from Candyrat Records.

They have 60 seconds of each track available to preview the music (again no DRM).

Plug - take a listen - It's real music - not some mass market crap pushed down your throat.