The real news, though, isn’t that Sony is making music tracks available without DRM … but that, in order to get these copy-protection-free tracks, Sony expects people to go to a music store and buy a specific plastic card for every album they download.
Word to Sony: people interested in downloading music online aren’t shopping in music stores … they’re shopping online. In fact, I can’t think of the last time I darkened the door of a music store or wandered the CD racks at Wal-Mart. A huge part of the magic of buying digital music online is getting it right away, right then, while my ears are achin’ for that particular tune. I want it … I find it … I click it … I hear it. That’s what digital music buyers expect.
Sony’s model would have me put that tune on a list, then wait to buy it until I can make my way to a bricks and mortar store to buy a plastic card to carry back home and uncover a code that I must type into my computer before I can download the track and start hearing the music.
In other words: Sony’s Platinum Musicpass sucks. It’s completely, totally wrong-headed, and, as an offering, it betrays a complete inability to understand the needs and buying habits of customers in the digital age.
[See Sony BMG trades cards for downloaded tunes – USATODAY.com]
Wow – From the Article – Sony BMG feels “strongly that there’s a group that will enjoy carrying the imagery of an artist they love around with them”. – What’s that all about?
And the card only allows for one download. Pitiful.