Monday, November 24, 2014

What happens when music purchases are a small fraction of their current numbers?

.... asks Billboard magazine.

The DCE comment:

The author is quite right to note this trend, which shows no signs of abating.  The problem? 
Look no further than the weak definition of "Permanent Digital Downloads (PDDs)" contained in CFR 385.2 ("means a digital phonorecord delivery that is distributed in the form of a download that may be retained and played on a permanent basis.") and by Harry Fox Agency ("A download that can be retained and played permanently, like songs downloaded to your PC or phone").



What does a purchaser get when he purchases?  Not much. What does "permanently" mean anyway?  Is it any more permanent than an illegal download?  Not at all.  They both are given the same "full faith and credit".  

What is needed is to devise a way that ownership can be given value again.  The Digital Content Exchange is one way.

All this focus on "streaming" is misplaced or at least a misnomer.  What Spotify, Youtube, Netflix and Pandora really are is "renting".  You are renting a universe of songs for a month. They could be gone next month. Or the rent could be raised to $50 a month (beyond your budget). Owning is the only sure way to guarantee access to a movie, book, game or video that you really like and would want to play again.  But the industry is offering no alternative for those who want to own.  In music, there is no fluctuating marketplace, just $.99 or free from Bit-torrent or a "streaming" service. Digital Rights Management was and is a bad idea.  So because of that, the entire content industry gives up on finding a good idea??

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