3.3 Million Songs, 20,000 iMixes

[MacRumors]

Apple announced (http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/may/05itunes.html) that in the first week since the release of iTunes 4.5, users have purchased 3.3 million songs from the iTunes Music Store.

In addition, over 20,000 iMixes have been published by iTunes users. Finally, the week long free song promotion has resulted in over 500,000 free songs downloaded from artists Foo Fighters, Avril Lavigne, Courtney Love, Annie Lennox, Jane’s Addiction, Counting Crows, Renee Fleming and Nelly Furtado.

Apple maintains that the iTunes music store commands a 70% marketshare amongst legal music downloads for singles and albums.

[DGFan]

I am curious whether last minute Pepsi downloads figure into that 3.3 million number

[sw1tcher]

I am curious whether last minute Pepsi downloads figure into that 3.3 million number

Dont forget the 50,000 free songs Ben & Jerry's were giving away too.

I got 2.

[claytonbench]

Congratulations Apple on 73.3 million downloads. I have downloaded 5 of those since iTunes 4.5




Apple announced (http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/may/05itunes.html) that in the first week since the release of iTunes 4.5, users have purchased 3.3 million songs from the iTunes Music Store.

In addition, over 20,000 iMixes have been published by iTunes users. Finally, the week long free song promotion has resulted in over 500,000 free songs downloaded from artists Foo Fighters, Avril Lavigne, Courtney Love, Annie Lennox, Jane’s Addiction, Counting Crows, Renee Fleming and Nelly Furtado.

Apple maintains that the iTunes music store commands a 70% marketshare amongst legal music downloads for singles and albums.

[Laslo Panaflex]

I have download all the free songs and used my last 2 free pepsi songs within the last week. I have not purchased any songs nor have I published an iMix.

This however is my favorite iMix

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPublishedPlaylist?id=26906

[dongmin]

I am curious whether last minute Pepsi downloads figure into that 3.3 million number The press release emphasizes that the 3.3 million songs were purchased and the 500,000 free songs are additional downloads. I assume that the Pepsi downloads would also not be counted towards the 3.3 million.

I like the fact that Apple is adding new features to increase sales. The 3.3 million per week is a 172 mil a year pace--not bad. Things will only get better as more songs are added, more ipods are sold, and more people make iTMS their main media center. Could iTMS become the MTV of the digital music era?

[PlaceofDis]

i got all but one of the free songs (foo fighters because i already have it) and i bought one song yesterday- the newest david bowie song it rocks but i think the free song thing is going to help get more and more people using iTunes

oh and its great publicity for the artists as well as incentive to get the rest of thier cd

[sethwerkheiser]

Could iTMS become the MTV of the digital music era?

Maybe if they just stick to music and avoid crap like Jessica SImpson getting married and TRL. Heh...

[TylerL]

As soon as I saw Foo Fighters on the iTMS, I bought all 4 of their albums :)

[DGFan]

The press release emphasizes that the 3.3 million songs were purchased and the 500,000 free songs are additional downloads. I assume that the Pepsi downloads would also not be counted towards the 3.3 million.

I like the fact that Apple is adding new features to increase sales. The 3.3 million per week is a 172 mil a year pace--not bad. Things will only get better as more songs are added, more ipods are sold, and more people make iTMS their main media center. Could iTMS become the MTV of the digital music era?

Yes, but when Apple announced the 70 million the term "sold" was also used. They did specify that Pepsi downloads were included in that number. So there is a history of Apple using the term "sold" to apply to Pepsi downloads.

In this case they specifically included the free song-a-day downloads separately. No mention was made of the Pepsi songs so I would assume that they would be included in the 3.3 million.

[Dippo]

I've done my part by downloading all the free songs I can :p

Only 500,000 free songs seems like such a small number, maybe people just don't like the songs being offered?

[Windowlicker]

what can I say... pretty impressive numbers. thumbs up for apple :)

[.a]

... nice ... and when they celebrate their 100th million song, they gonna release g5 rev b ???
.a

[musicpyrite]

This is good news, people are using iTMS more.....

....today-online music, tommorow-the world! Muahahha...

BTW, I now LOVE the Foo Fighters, downloaded all of their albums...keep this Apple and I will go bankrupt within the month :D ;)

[DGFan]

This is good news, people are using iTMS more.....

....today-online music, tommorow-the world! Muahahha...

BTW, I now LOVE the Foo Fighters, downloaded all of their albums...keep this Apple and I will go bankrupt within the month :D ;)

The World will be tough. I lost 23 free song credits when the Pepsi promo ended because I didn't realize I had to use them*. As a result I decided to check out AllOfMP3.com which was discussed around the net last week. Over the weekend I downloaded 7 or 8 albums legally for a cost of around $2 per album. They are high quality songs (sometimes higher quality than iTMS songs) and DRM free. I still plan to shop at the iTMS for exclusives and more obscure songs. But when I want a popular mainstream album, there are other options that are much cheaper.

* I complained to Apple via email. I got a letter stating kindly that I should read the (confusing) terms and that they would not restore the credits. Two days later the credits were restored. *shrug*

[Mr_Ed]

I am not normally much into the more "gimmicky" things (like iMix, celebrity playlists, etc.) but I have to admit I've been having fun with iTunes 4.5. I downloaded about 30 tracks this past weekend :)

I found the new "links" they added in your iTunes library (from artists, albums, etc.) helpful when I was looking for a couple of things. I also liked the ability to watch a music video now and then through iTMS and access to radio station playlists. All in all, iTunes/iTMS is fast becoming the "hub" application for everything music that it is intended to be.

[funkywhat2]

Yes, but when Apple announced the 70 million the term "sold" was also used. They did specify that Pepsi downloads were included in that number. So there is a history of Apple using the term "sold" to apply to Pepsi downloads.

In this case they specifically included the free song-a-day downloads separately. No mention was made of the Pepsi songs so I would assume that they would be included in the 3.3 million.

Then again, Apple is getting paid for the Pepsi downloads, so they are, in fact, sold.

[Thor74]

Good numbers for Apple. Hope this continues for them.

[DGFan]

Then again, Apple is getting paid for the Pepsi downloads, so they are, in fact, sold.

Exactly.
And everyone who is smarter than I am was racing to use their credits by friday night.

[slowtreme]

I've done my part by downloading all the free songs I can :p

Only 500,000 free songs seems like such a small number, maybe people just don't like the songs being offered?
I only downloaded 3 of them, and one I deleted once I got it. I kept Renee Fleming and Nelly, I deleted Avril, and I already own the Annie Lennox one. The rest sucked IMO. Wow that's odd, I only liked the female singers. *Shrug*

It's not like they are offering up hit songs for Free download.

[Phazer80s]

I congratulate Apple on its success with the iTMS. It's great to see significant support of legal downloading. Still it's hard to be enthusiastic about the news when the service is restricted to the U.S.

Canada is the U.S.' biggest trading partner yet after a year we're still denied access to the Store. Apple has acknowledged the forthcoming Japan and Europe Music Stores but Canada hasn't received a single mention. We can't even access today's free download, "Try" by Nelly Furtado... and she's Canadian. :mad:

[Frisco]

The World will be tough. I lost 23 free song credits when the Pepsi promo ended because I didn't realize I had to use them*. As a result I decided to check out AllOfMP3.com which was discussed around the net last week. Over the weekend I downloaded 7 or 8 albums legally for a cost of around $2 per album. They are high quality songs (sometimes higher quality than iTMS songs) and DRM free. I still plan to shop at the iTMS for exclusives and more obscure songs. But when I want a popular mainstream album, there are other options that are much cheaper.

* I complained to Apple via email. I got a letter stating kindly that I should read the (confusing) terms and that they would not restore the credits. Two days later the credits were restored. *shrug*

Um, if you think AllOfMP3.com is legal, you are just fooling yourself. Do they pay the record label and the artists? No! For $2 an album they are the only one getting paid.

[Freg3000]

The World will be tough. I lost 23 free song credits when the Pepsi promo ended because I didn't realize I had to use them*. As a result I decided to check out AllOfMP3.com which was discussed around the net last week. Over the weekend I downloaded 7 or 8 albums legally for a cost of around $2 per album. They are high quality songs (sometimes higher quality than iTMS songs) and DRM free. I still plan to shop at the iTMS for exclusives and more obscure songs. But when I want a popular mainstream album, there are other options that are much cheaper.

* I complained to Apple via email. I got a letter stating kindly that I should read the (confusing) terms and that they would not restore the credits. Two days later the credits were restored. *shrug*

Every single one of those Pepsi caps had a Redeem by 4/30/04 warning on them. In the Music Store, it said Redeem Song, and underneath it, Redeem by April 30 was written. Numerous Mac websites had threads and reminders that all credits must be redeemed by the 30th. If I were Apple, I would not have refunded the credits.

And claiming that allofmp3.com is legal is quite a stretch; it may be legal via Russian laws, but is almost assuredly illegal elsewhere. Do you think that the the Beatles catalogue is on allofmp3.com legally?

[valypan]

The World will be tough. I lost 23 free song credits when the Pepsi promo ended because I didn't realize I had to use them*. As a result I decided to check out AllOfMP3.com which was discussed around the net last week. Over the weekend I downloaded 7 or 8 albums legally for a cost of around $2 per album. They are high quality songs (sometimes higher quality than iTMS songs) and DRM free. I still plan to shop at the iTMS for exclusives and more obscure songs. But when I want a popular mainstream album, there are other options that are much cheaper.

* I complained to Apple via email. I got a letter stating kindly that I should read the (confusing) terms and that they would not restore the credits. Two days later the credits were restored. *shrug*


It seems like this site you talk about is not 100% legal after all. It can exist due to a loophole in the russian law system, but it is by no means licensed or endorsed by the labels. You can read more about this here:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/05/05/russian_mp3_site/

That said, Itunes is still the best 100% legal way to download songs. I love it! :)

[DGFan]

Um, if you think AllOfMP3.com is legal, you are just fooling yourself. Do they pay the record label and the artists? No! For $2 an album they are the only one getting paid.

Their site has been live for a LONG time offering free/pay steams and downloads of Russian music. They claim to have a legal license in Russia. According to their site they pay licensing fees to the labels and artists.

Russia may have different licensing laws than the USA. There may be mandatory licensing, for instance.

I am not going to presume that they are breaking the law until their site gets taken down.

[jbembe]

That's a rate of 172 million per year!!!

I hope it stays at this rate instead of an initial peak and then a relaxed pace that plateaus somewhere way lower.

This can only be a good thing, with Beastie Boys pre-release a MONTH in advance, others are sure to follow!

Let's hope this converts to iPod sales...

[DGFan]

It seems like this site you talk about is not 100% legal after all. It can exist due to a loophole in the russian law system, but it is by no means licensed or endorsed by the labels. You can read more about this here:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/05/05/russian_mp3_site/

That said, Itunes is still the best 100% legal way to download songs. I love it! :)

What does "not 100% legal" mean? If there is a loophole - or rather, a use of the law that no one considered that does not make it illegal.

BTW: iTMS is not 100% legal either. iTMS DRM violates the "fair use" provision. So it is not 100% legal by US law.

[miloblithe]

The World will be tough. I lost 23 free song credits when the Pepsi promo ended because I didn't realize I had to use them*. As a result I decided to check out AllOfMP3.com which was discussed around the net last week. Over the weekend I downloaded 7 or 8 albums legally for a cost of around $2 per album. They are high quality songs (sometimes higher quality than iTMS songs) and DRM free. I still plan to shop at the iTMS for exclusives and more obscure songs. But when I want a popular mainstream album, there are other options that are much cheaper.

"legally"? AllOfMP3.com is in no way legal in the US or just about anywhere outside Russia. From their website's terms and conditions:

You agree with the fact that you are not able to use and even to download audio and video materials from Allofmp3.com catalogue if it is in the conflict with legislation of your country. Allofmp3.com Administration is unable to control all Allofmp3.com users, therefore the users are responsible for usage of the materials represented on the Site.

You are not to use data received through the Site for unlawful purposes. The Site Administration is not held liable for possible use of information received on the Site for the purposes prohibited by legislation or infringing copyright. You are responsible for unlawful or unauthorized use of any Site materials.

Copyright All the materials in the MediaServices projects are available for distribution via Internet according to license # LS-3?-02-36 of the Russian Multimedia and Internet Society. Under the license agreement, MediaServices pays license fees for all the materials subject to the Law of the Russian Federation "On Copyright and Related Rights". All the materials are available solely for personal use. Further distribution, resale or broadcasting is prohibited.


By the way, the Russian Federation law on copyright and related rights basically, and I'm paraphrasing, says, "eh, whatever." I know none of us ever read the fine print, but when the site is Russian, it's probably a good idea.

[requies]

The World will be tough. I lost 23 free song credits when the Pepsi promo ended because I didn't realize I had to use them*. As a result I decided to check out AllOfMP3.com which was discussed around the net last week. Over the weekend I downloaded 7 or 8 albums legally for a cost of around $2 per album. They are high quality songs (sometimes higher quality than iTMS songs) and DRM free. I still plan to shop at the iTMS for exclusives and more obscure songs. But when I want a popular mainstream album, there are other options that are much cheaper.

* I complained to Apple via email. I got a letter stating kindly that I should read the (confusing) terms and that they would not restore the credits. Two days later the credits were restored. *shrug*

except for the little catch that allofmp3 isn't legal. or ethical. it's actually worse than downloading from kazaa because you're supporting a shady organization.

[Porchland]

From the press release:

“Our third generation iTunes Music Store just blows away any other online music service,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.

The press release might as well have started: "Dear Sony."

Get em, Steve!!

[greg75]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/05/05/russian_mp3_site/

RAO terminated its agreement with ROMS at the end of 2003, complaining that it had received very little money and no accounting details from the four-year-old body which RAO had itself helped to found. "They told us they had 200 licences but they would not even tell us who they were licensing," RAO's Vadim Dunin told MusicAlly.

So now RAO is preparing to license sites such as allofmp3 itself.

[DGFan]

"legally"? AllOfMP3.com is in no way legal in the US or just about anywhere outside Russia. From their website's terms and conditions:

By the way, the Russian Federation law on copyright and related rights basically, and I'm paraphrasing, says, "eh, whatever." I know none of us ever read the fine print, but when the site is Russian, it's probably a good idea.

I read their terms and conditions.

Copyright law means that I cannot offer materials for copying. If I make a copy of a song from AllOfMP3.com and it turns out they were not actually authorized to offer that song for copying who is breaking the law. Me? NO!! The site is. (Read up a little on copyright law and you will understand)

That's right. And if big coporations (like, oh, say APPLE) can save money by having their products produced overseas in countries with lower labor costs and weaker labor and environmental laws, who are you to tell me that I can't benefit from the same situation when it comes to my music? Especially if in doing so I am not breaking any laws (which, I will say again, I am not).

[slowtreme]

I lost 23 free song credits when the Pepsi promo ended because I didn't realize I had to use themI had 2 credits left on April 28th showing in the itunes browser, so I went out and picked to songs and downloaded them. I didnt even bother to look at the price at checkout, but 4 hours later I got a receipt for 1.98 :(

I have no idea what happened to my two credits, and it was before the cut off.

[miloblithe]

What does "not 100% legal" mean? If there is a loophole - or rather, a use of the law that no one considered that does not make it illegal.

BTW: iTMS is not 100% legal either. iTMS DRM violates the "fair use" provision. So it is not 100% legal by US law.

That article relates to its legality within Russia, not outside of Russia. It is 100% illegal. Whether or not you'd be caught though is another question.

[greg75]

From the press release:
“Our third generation iTunes Music Store just blows away any other online music service,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.
And VideoLAN, once more, blows away (http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?t=603&start=30) Apple's vendor lock-in :D

[greg75]

Russian site is music to the ears (http://smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/26/1082831475556.html)
There is no indication in our dealings with allofmp3.com over several weeks that this is one of those dubious enterprises so much loved by the Russian mafia. Our credit card doesn't seem to have been abused, and while we have no legal qualifications, we can't see that it fails to comply with the Berne Convention on copyright. According to the company, "All the materials in the MediaServices projects are available for distribution via internet, according to Licence # LS-3M-02-36 of the Russian Multimedia and Internet Society."

It claims it pays licence fees for all material on the site, "subject to the law of the Russian Federation on copyright and related rights". We hope that this is correct, because under the terms of use, we've agreed we won't use their services "if it is in conflict with legislation of your country".

We can't see any legal or moral objection to using the site. We're using the material for private use, there is no restriction in this country on the parallel importing of recorded music and none of the artists seem to have been deprived of their rights. While we suspect the recorded music industry would like to earn more from their music, we're in no position to judge the arrangements they might have made with Russia.

Nevertheless, the prices we're paying to satisfy our increasingly obsessive passion for music tend to make us a little nervous about whether we're engaging in a spot of bargain-hunting or a form of digital burglary.

We sought some advice from a Melbourne barrister and contributor to these pages, Simon Minahan, who practises in the area of intellectual property.

His opinion: "There's probably nothing to stop the individual from downloading this material for private use. For end users, the issue is a basic question relevant to acquiring a reproduction of any copyright work: has the rights owner consented?"

Even if allofmp3.com's asserted licence is bogus, says Minahan, "the end user would seem to have a good basis to argue that he is an innocent infringer, which would mean he isn't liable to damages, although he would still be liable to an order requiring him to destroy or deliver up any copies and an order requiring him to refrain from doing it again."

[greg75]

It is 100% illegal.

So as IFPI Russia's legal adviser, Vladimir Dragunov, concedes: "Because of these loopholes we don't have much chance of succeeding if we attack these companies who are using music files on the Internet under current Russian laws."

Translation: Russian courts would likely rule in favor of allofmp3.

Why? Because it's 100% illegal. Uhhh.

[miloblithe]

Translation: Russian courts would likely rule in favor of allofmp3.

Why? Because it's 100% illegal. Uhhh.

Why are you deliberately not listening to what I'm saying? I'm not talking about its legality in Russia. I'm talking about its legality outside of Russia. Inside Russia, anything goes. When I lived there I bought a lot of pirated stuff that would be illegal elsewhere. You really think QuarkXPress can cost $5?

As for the Russian courts, they'll rule for whoever pays them, or, more likely, whoever the authorities tell them to rule for. It's not exactly an "independent judiciary."

[DGFan]

That article relates to its legality within Russia, not outside of Russia. It is 100% illegal. Whether or not you'd be caught though is another question.

You don't understand the law. But that's ok. You don't have to.

[Trowaman]

I got all 8 free songs, enjoyed most. I say most because, well, Courtney Love has a horrible voice! If this was American Idle she woulda been gone. Just b/c your husband is The Late Kurt Donald Cobain the Great, u are not automatically great as well.

Anyways, yeah congrats Apple. I'll keep getting your free songs and buy good stuff as I see it come up.

[dontmatter]

So, how many copies of itunes 4.5 downloaded? hmm. Perhaps they didn't publish that b/c it's a bit dissapointing? I know plenty of people not downloading it b/c of lack of mytunes.

[greg75]

Inside Russia, anything goes. When I lived there I bought a lot of pirated stuff that would be illegal elsewhere. You really think QuarkXPress can cost $5?
Whoever sold it to you committed a crime. Which is different from allofmp3.com, which claims to be paying royalties. If they are, it's not pirating.

If Allofmp3.com is not breaking the law in Russia, then it's not illegal for me to buy stuff from Allofmp3.com just as it's not illegal for me to buy CDs and DVDs from other countries over the Internet.

[miloblithe]

Whoever sold it to you committed a crime. Which is different from allofmp3.com, which claims to be paying royalties. If they are, it's not pirating.

If Allofmp3.com is not breaking the law in Russia, then it's not illegal for me to buy stuff from Allofmp3.com just as it's not illegal for me to buy CDs and DVDs from other countries over the Internet.

You're right that I'm not a copyright lawyer, but this doesn't make sense to me. Why is Apple trying to expand iTunes to Europe, Canada, and so on if it's already legal for people there to download songs from iTunes America?

[greg75]

You're right that I'm not a copyright lawyer, but this doesn't make sense to me. Why is Apple trying to expand iTunes to Europe, Canada, and so on if it's already legal for people there to download songs from iTunes America?
It's not that consumers in Europe can't download legally from iTMS USA, they can. It's Apple's license in the US which doesn't allow Apple to distribute to other countries. Allofmp3.com's Russian license doesn't have such restrictions.

[JohnGillilan]

So, how many copies of itunes 4.5 downloaded? hmm. Perhaps they didn't publish that b/c it's a bit dissapointing? I know plenty of people not downloading it b/c of lack of mytunes.

Interesting point. There are hundreds of shared libraries on my college campus. Many people have changed the name of their libraries to warn people:

"---DO NOT UPGRADE ITUNES, 4.5 BREAKS MYTUNES"
"***DON NOT UPDATE ITUNES, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD"
"[if you want my music, get itunes 4.5]"

Lots of people haven't updated because of this.

[Flowbee]

It's not that consumers in Europe can't download legally from iTMS USA, they can. It's Apple's license in the US which doesn't allow Apple to distribute to other countries. Allofmp3.com's Russian license doesn't have such restrictions.

I would be very surprised if anyone posting to this thread has any real knowledge of how Russia's laws work with respect to this issue. Just because something is posted to a website doesn't make it a fact.

You are all fooling yourselves if you think that this Russian company has negotiated rights to distribute music online (inside or outside of Russia) and that they're paying royalties to the record companies.

Ignorance is bliss, as they say.

[Capt Underpants]

Didn't firugre this was worth a thread, so I'll post it here...
Did anyone else have their pepsi iTMS caps that had been redeemed credited back to their account? Mine went away, but came but sometime.... I just noticed it today.

[greg75]

You are all fooling yourselves if you think that this Russian company has negotiated rights to distribute music online (inside or outside of Russia) and that they're paying royalties to the record companies.
Do you have any clue about how compulsory licensing works?
Ignorance is bliss, as they say.
Indeed.

[g30ffr3y]

I got all 8 free songs, enjoyed most. I say most because, well, Courtney Love has a horrible voice! If this was American Idle she woulda been gone. Just b/c your husband is The Late Kirk Cobaine the Great, u are not automatically great as well.

Anyways, yeah congrats Apple. I'll keep getting your free songs and buy good stuff as I see it come up.



it's the late Kurt Donald Cobain

im sorry, but that misspelling/murder of his name was just blasphemous...

[Trowaman]

it's the late Kurt Donald Cobain

im sorry, but that misspelling/murder of his name was just blasphemous...

my bad, I fixed it.

[Rower_CPU]

Keep it civil, folks.

[slowtreme]

my bad, I fixed it.
Big deal, blasphemous is hardly the right word. I don't hold suisidists in high reguard, and his music... I'll stop, someone here here will cry like a schoolgirl if I go on.

[iChan]

my bad, I fixed it.

you shouldn't just "fix it"... just leave it and don't make the same mistake again...

[Thor74]

greg75, whatever helps you sleep at night when you defend obvious rip-off sites like that... Call up Sony, Island, DefJam, or Warner, or any other record company and ask if that site has ever paid them a dime. You obviously are intelligent enough to know you are just defending to defend. The soap box must be nice from up there. We BOTH know the record companies get $0 from Russia... :rolleyes:

[greg75]

greg75, whatever helps you sleep at night when you defend obvious rip-off sites like that... Call up Sony, Island, DefJam, or Warner, or any other record company and ask if that site has ever paid them a dime.
Oh great. Another person who doesn't know how compulsory licensing works.

If your ignorance helps you sleep at night, good for you.

[MCCFR]

Oh great. Another person who doesn't know how compulsory licensing works.

If your ignorance helps you sleep at night, good for you.

Just so when I wake up tomorrow, I don't have to read this post a dozen times or more, here is a link which from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statutory_license) which is the redirect from Compulsory Licensing.

Personally, I would say that the whole issue is based on whether the copyright holders are receiving payment and are accepting that payment.

If you accept the payment, you don't have a leg to stand on; if you're recieving a payment based on a unilaterally imposed contract (which would normally be considered an unfair contract in any 'civilised' legal system in the world), you'd be better advised to keep the cheque uncashed as evidence that the party understands that they need to pay for the usage of your property and then go after them using the WTO, Berne Convention and other mechanisms.

The other part of this position would be that, if the Russian Federation wants to be part of the G8 and the WTO, it should start to play by the rules of the commercially developed world.

[mj_1903]

The MacObserver says that Apple had 3 million copies of iTunes 4.5 downloaded in the last week. Damn those Xserve's are getting a work out.

[macridah]

It was a good free iTunes download week for me. I got all the free ones from iTunes (8) and 1 from Ben and Jerry's, ... and there's still more free ... so nice.

[iMeowbot]

You are all fooling yourselves if you think that this Russian company has negotiated rights to distribute music online (inside or outside of Russia) and that they're paying royalties to the record companies.

Well yeah. allofmp3.com claim that they have a licensing agreement with the "Russian Multimedia and Internet Society" but there doesn't appear to be any such thing. The closest to it would be these guys (http://www.roms.ru/romseng/index.html), but the English names being used by each party are different enough to make one say "hnnh?"

If someone who writes Russian well wants to try and get the real scoop, there are contact addresses at the bottom of that page, web at roms dot ru and roms at roms dot ru.

[Counterfit]

Just for kicks, I tried to make an iMix of my Metallica playlist.


















Yeah, it didn't work :D

[SiliconAddict]

Does anyone else think the implementation of iMixes is REALLY poor? Unless I’ve drastically missed something you can’t easily browse or search through the iMix lists which as it stands is insanely long. So say I’m looking for something possibly folk I should be able to do some form of adv search in iTMS and simply search or turn the browser feature on and simply browse through the list. IMHO as it stands iMix is next to useless unless some tweaks are done to allow easy browsing. Please correct me if I’m wrong and you can somehow do the above because I can’t seem to find a way to do it. Fantastic concept on the part of Apple. Somewhat poor implementation.

[MacQuest]

From the press release:

“Our third generation iTunes Music Store just blows away any other online music service,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.

The press release might as well have started: "Dear Sony."

Get em, Steve!!

:D ROTFLMAO!!! :D

So true...

[MacQuest]

...If I make a copy of a song from AllOfMP3.com and it turns out they were not actually authorized to offer that song for copying who is breaking the law. Me? NO!! The site is.

One word. Accomplice.

[MacQuest]

Whoever sold it to you committed a crime. Which is different from allofmp3.com, which claims to be paying royalties. If they are, it's not pirating.

If Allofmp3.com is not breaking the law in Russia, then it's not illegal for me to buy stuff from Allofmp3.com just as it's not illegal for me to buy CDs and DVDs from other countries over the Internet.

Oh please. It's not so much an issue of legality, it's an issue of morality. The people getting screwed at the end of the day, by even legal download services like iTunes, are the artists.

They're just getting less screwed than if people steal their music via p2p or if people support crap, "questionable" :rolleyes:, sites like allofmp3.com which doubtfully give anything back through the appropriate channels.

[gotohamish]

I have download all the free songs and used my last 2 free pepsi songs within the last week. I have not purchased any songs nor have I published an iMix.

This however is my favorite iMix

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPublishedPlaylist?id=26906

Just a hint, but instead of having a blank window open, change http:// to itms:// and it goes straight there. Check out http://www.city-magazine.com/citymix.html for an example.

[MacQuest]

So, how many copies of itunes 4.5 downloaded? hmm. Perhaps they didn't publish that b/c it's a bit dissapointing? I know plenty of people not downloading it b/c of lack of mytunes.

"Cupertino, California-based Apple reported 3 million downloads of iTunes 4.5, which incorporates the online music store, since its release last week".

Yeah, pretty dissapointing. :rolleyes: ;) :D

[MCCFR]

So, how many copies of itunes 4.5 downloaded? hmm. Perhaps they didn't publish that b/c it's a bit dissapointing? I know plenty of people not downloading it b/c of lack of mytunes.

3 million according to a Reuters story - of course, what you really needed to know is how many of those are upgrades. And what %age of the pre-existing iTunes user base that represents.

[greg75]

Oh please. It's not so much an issue of legality, it's an issue of morality. The people getting screwed at the end of the day, by even legal download services like iTunes, are the artists.
Oh I agree. I don't use iTMS or Allofmp3.com. I stick to good old CDs (not that artists get paid fairly from CD sales, but I digress).
They're just getting less screwed than if people steal their music via p2p or if people support crap, "questionable" :rolleyes:, sites like allofmp3.com which doubtfully give anything back through the appropriate channels.
What's crap about the site? That they don't offer DRM? :D

[wdlove]

Dont forget the 50,000 free songs Ben & Jerry's were giving away too.

I got 2.

I've won 2 from the Ben & Jerry's vote pledge also. It surprised me that my wife and I also won. The pledges were done within minutes of each other.

Do you happen to know where to find the poper area to enter the code for the free song? Thanks in advance!

[DGFan]

greg75, whatever helps you sleep at night when you defend obvious rip-off sites like that... Call up Sony, Island, DefJam, or Warner, or any other record company and ask if that site has ever paid them a dime. You obviously are intelligent enough to know you are just defending to defend. The soap box must be nice from up there. We BOTH know the record companies get $0 from Russia... :rolleyes:

I think that statement is really funny in light of this article:

http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2004/may/may4a_04.html

[DGFan]

Does anyone else think the implementation of iMixes is REALLY poor? Unless I’ve drastically missed something you can’t easily browse or search through the iMix lists which as it stands is insanely long. So say I’m looking for something possibly folk I should be able to do some form of adv search in iTMS and simply search or turn the browser feature on and simply browse through the list. IMHO as it stands iMix is next to useless unless some tweaks are done to allow easy browsing. Please correct me if I’m wrong and you can somehow do the above because I can’t seem to find a way to do it. Fantastic concept on the part of Apple. Somewhat poor implementation.

One thing that surprised me is the list of top iMixes on the page of each album. It's another nice alternative to "people who bought this also bought...."

[DGFan]

Well yeah. allofmp3.com claim that they have a licensing agreement with the "Russian Multimedia and Internet Society" but there doesn't appear to be any such thing. The closest to it would be these guys (http://www.roms.ru/romseng/index.html), but the English names being used by each party are different enough to make one say "hnnh?"

If someone who writes Russian well wants to try and get the real scoop, there are contact addresses at the bottom of that page, web at roms dot ru and roms at roms dot ru.

I think it's just the translation. If you go to the Russian version of AllOfMp3.com and click on the legal link it refers to the POMC (in the same place it refers to "Russian Multimedia and Internet Society" in the English version). POMC is the organization to which you refer (as can be seen here: http://www.roms.ru/ )

[scraemondaemon]

This is from the legal page on the website (http://www.allofmp3.com).

Liability Limitations and Rules of Allofmp3.com Services Use

Before you continue browsing the site (registration on this site), you are to read and agree with all the clauses of the following document. In case you disagree with any of the clauses, you have no right to continue browsing the site (registration on this site), and must immediately leave it.

You agree with the fact that you are not able to use and even to download audio and video materials from Allofmp3.com catalogue if it is in the conflict with legislation of your country. Allofmp3.com Administration is unable to control all Allofmp3.com users, therefore the users are responsible for usage of the materials represented on the Site.

It appears that the laws of the country you are in while downloading/using material from the site may come into play.

[DGFan]

This is from the legal page on the website (http://www.allofmp3.com).
It appears that the laws of the country you are in while downloading/using material from the site may come into play.

They certainly come into play. However, the copyright laws that come into play are only those of the originating country (the country where the copying is taking place). That's why the US and European countries have been pushing hard (due to efforts of the MPAA/RIAA-type lobbies no doubt) to get other countries to implement DMCA-like copyright laws.

For instance, the US could enact a law prohibiting bringing any kind of music or video into the US from another country without a permit. In that case, even though AllOfMP3.com might be able to legally make and sell copies, I would be breaking US law by bringing that file into the US via the download.

Rather than try to understand the laws of each country or state, it's simpler to put a vague legal statement offloading the responsibility to the consumer.

[cgmpowers]

Not only did iTunes Music Store have updated Pepsi buttoms saying to 'redeem by 4/30' within days of that date but Apple sent me out numerous e-mails reminding me too...

Christopher

Every single one of those Pepsi caps had a Redeem by 4/30/04 warning on them. In the Music Store, it said Redeem Song, and underneath it, Redeem by April 30 was written. Numerous Mac websites had threads and reminders that all credits must be redeemed by the 30th. If I were Apple, I would not have refunded the credits.

And claiming that allofmp3.com is legal is quite a stretch; it may be legal via Russian laws, but is almost assuredly illegal elsewhere. Do you think that the the Beatles catalogue is on allofmp3.com legally?

[methodshop]

over 20,000 iMixes have been published by iTunes users.

Make that one iMix less than 20,000.....

Apple Rejects a "Poor Taste" iMix (http://www.methodshop.com/mp3/articles/iMix/index.stm)
from MethodShop.com: "My iMix became the first playlist rejected by Apple. They called it in "poor taste". Ok, it was a collection of songs with a "self love" theme called One To Tango. I got a rejection email a couple days later and became the first iTunes iMix to be turned down by Apple."

http://methodshop.com/mp3/articles/iMix/index.stm (http://www.methodshop.com/mp3/articles/iMix/index.stm)

[DGFan]

Not only did iTunes Music Store have updated Pepsi buttoms saying to 'redeem by 4/30' within days of that date but Apple sent me out numerous e-mails reminding me too...

Christopher
We didn't get Pepsi iTunes caps for quite a while here in SE Michigan. I have never seen one that said "redeem by 4/30". I also never received a single email from Apple concerning the promotion.

Of course, "redeem" is a fairly vague term. When I enter the code I redeem the code for a free song credit. Is that sufficient to meet their terms? I had no reason to believe otherwise.

I certainly wasn't the only one confused by this. It's pretty sad that Apple couldn't figure out how to write completely unambiguous instructions.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Given the changs to iTMS, I will only be downloading single songs.

I am giving a long hard look at www.allofmp3.com.....

[MacQuest]

What's crap about the site? That they don't offer DRM? :D

No. Just that were as the iTunes music store at least gets the artists some money, allofmp3.com, and I'm just guessing here :rolleyes:, is probably just a big fraud all together that takes your money and keeps all of it.

That would mean that you're getting just as screwed as the artists by paying even penny for a "service" that is no more than front for an illegal operation.

[DGFan]

No. Just that were as the iTunes music store at least gets the artists some money, allofmp3.com, and I'm just guessing here :rolleyes:, is probably just a big fraud all together that takes your money and keeps all of it.

That would mean that you're getting just as screwed as the artists by paying even penny for a "service" that is no more than front for an illegal operation.

You're entitled to your opinion as to the legality of the service. However your conviction does not somehow make that opinion truth.

And you, of course, are entitled to support the fraud of your choice. Your decision seems to be to support the US fraud. Fair enough. But, I am entitled to a make different decision.

[aussiemac86]

Make that one iMix less than 20,000.....

Apple Rejects a "Poor Taste" iMix (http://www.methodshop.com/mp3/articles/iMix/index.stm)
from MethodShop.com: "My iMix became the first playlist rejected by Apple. They called it in "poor taste". Ok, it was a collection of songs with a "self love" theme called One To Tango. I got a rejection email a couple days later and became the first iTunes iMix to be turned down by Apple."

http://methodshop.com/mp3/articles/iMix/index.stm (http://www.methodshop.com/mp3/articles/iMix/index.stm)



hahaha nice work!

I am a bit surprised that apple rejected this though, as i assume all the individual songs are available on the iTMS.

Whilst i would imagine there are a wide variety of the views on the seriousness of this iMix, u would have to acknowledge that this is surpressing creativity to some extent, and i thought this was one of the highlights of the iTMS. People no longer have to take music as the labels present it to them they can create their own albums.

just a thought.

[Wash!!]

hahaha nice work!

I am a bit surprised that apple rejected this though, as i assume all the individual songs are available on the iTMS.

Whilst i would imagine there are a wide variety of the views on the seriousness of this iMix, u would have to acknowledge that this is surpressing creativity to some extent, and i thought this was one of the highlights of the iTMS. People no longer have to take music as the labels present it to them they can create their own albums.

just a thought.

you named differently, I think it was the title or the comments you wrote that got it regretted :rolleyes:

[Brad Raple]

I was also curious if there's a way to browse through imix's other than in the main program. It seems that it will only show the top 100 mix's, and I found an acoustic guitar mix that I really liked, but by the time I got back around to it it was gone. They need a good way to search through all of the imix's, not just the top 100. Unless it's there and I'm missing it, of course. If so, I'm sure you'll all let me know.