U2 Threatens to Release Album Early on iTunes

Uninvited Guest writes "After a rough cut of U2's latest unfinished album was stolen earlier this week, the band has vowed to release the entire album on iTunes if the music appears on P2P networks. Bono told the London Daily Telegraph, 'If it is on the Internet this week, we will release it immediately as a legal download on iTunes, and get hard copies into the shops by the end of the month.' Is this the exact opposite of the Smashing Pumpkins' last album, which the band rushed to release on P2P networks, before it could hit the stores?"

Comments

U2 encouraging p2p?

[prof_peabody]

I think this just promotes a P2P release. Post it and we'll release it, almost a reward to the fans...

Re:sooo?

[GlassHeart]

If it's available both legally and illegally, fans will be faced with the same old choice. History tells us that a good number still choose to buy.

However, if it's available only illegally, then a fan who wants to hear the album has no choice but to break the law. Having acquired the music, the fan will be less likely to pay for it when it is released legally.

Once you understand that this is not meant for the people who never would've paid for it, the logic becomes quite simple.

Two words:

[vegetablespork]

Publicity. Stunt.

Re:sooo?

[Anonymous Coward]

No chance but to break the law? Are you serious. How about exercising the slightest bit of self-restraint and waiting another 2 weeks. Oh I forgot, there is nothing we shouldn't have for free and damnit we deserve it right? I feel sorry for you.

Priorities

[realStrategos]

"French police have launched a major operation to find the disc."

I just realized how screwed up this world really is. A major police operation has been launch to find a CD. Aparantly all other crimes have been defeated.