It's easy to get upset when we are following the news and learn of dirty tricks played by big companies. Sometimes we are even motivated to write comments or warnings to the companies responsible or make angry statements online. Often, people will even pledge to boycott these companies and their products, in order to show they are displeased. Recently, with the astonishing discovery of the infamous rootkit fiasco and then with news of the questionable MediaMax software practices published soon after, we saw many such comments about the 'Net. But, do people really mean what they say, can they walk the walk? Can MediaMax protection or First4Internet DRM measures upset folks so much, to actually make them follow through on their threats? Well, according to recent music sales figures given for the embattled Sony music division, you had just better believe it!
|
The wrath of fans killed Sony's CD copy controls, with the company pulling 52 titles off retail shelves, beginning the week of Nov. 14. But the wrath of bands could be far worse for the company -- and for efforts to protect content in general. Singers and songwriters are increasingly expressing frustration at devices used by record companies to protect digital content from widespread theft that results when CDs are copied repeatedly or popular tracks are given away on peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, such as LimeWire and BitTorrent. Sony's misstep has been bad for the company -- and its effects could spread much further, should the consumer outcry gain traction with the recording artists who need to keep their fans happy if they want to sell records. |
It's easy to see why this would happen if one pays a visit to the Amazon Website does a search for "Get Right With the Man" which is also emblazoned with the stern warning: [CONTENT/COPY-PROTECTED CD] [DUALDISC]. If that does not scare one off, then take a second to read the user reviews below! It's not a pretty sight and a PR nightmare for Sony. If you think the readers are upset, can you imagine how the artist feels?
Oddly, we keep hearing how all these "DRM solutions" are put in place to protect the musicians. All we see in the press are reports of how P2P and movie ripping is devastating the industry. Every day we read that content creators are about ready to throw their hands up thanks to piracy and get jobs at MacDonald's. So it's surprising to hear suddenly, that not only are the customers fed up with being treated like criminals and purchasing hobbled or rootkitted music, even the musicians themselves are have had a belly full and getting quite vocal about it too!
Can the music industry gamble on decreasing sales figures turning around without a shift in the current paradigm? From what we can see, at least in this reputable BusinessWeek report, they've got a problem on their hands! It's called no customers. However, If they think it's lonely now, wait till funds dry up and even their staff of fancy lawyers takes the next gas guzzling limo out of town! No worries though, but just remember the old Rolling Stones lyric: "Time is on our side, Yes it is!"
Source: BusinessWeek Online
Top news
Our Community messages
Happy Birthday to you boeing737-7 
r_saotome thank you for your reaction in the news section. 
SkyIslandHiker just logged in, Good to see you back!