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Wal-Mart begins selling DRM-free online music

Posted by chris on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 8:55 PM (EDT)

Consistent with an emerging trend that seems to be addressing the recent acknowledgment by the larger online music services, Wal-Mart has begun selling songs online free of digital-rights management, or DRM. DRM was originally inserted into songs as a method to stop online piracy of music, but lead to more problems than benefits as consumers found ways around it, and also experienced the frustration of attempting to play a song with DRM on a non-iPod brand MP3 player, such as the Creative Zen or Microsoft Zune.

Additionally, Wal-Mart will be selling the songs 94 cents a piece, compared the recent price-increase by Apple's iTunes at $1.29 per track, though the iTune's songs do come at a higher audio quality.

What are your thoughts on DRM and how does it impact your purchases of online music? Does it mean anything to see a large retailer such as Wal-Mart, which is normally frowned upon in the punk community, selling music not only cheaper but without the restrictions that many were so avidly against? Let us know your thoughts below.

Games and Technology (113 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Seriously.

Someone (August 21, 2007)

Out of every music retailer out there, why does Wal-Mart, land of the edited-content record, have to take the lead on this?

That Ben Lee record is damn good.

3+ Replies

niveK82 (August 21, 2007)

are these edited? I couldnt find an answer in the 10 second I spent looking.

niveK82 (August 21, 2007)

I took an extra 5 second to search.

yes, they only sell edited online too.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

That Ben Lee record is really good. I'm just scared he'll sign to a major label and "sell out".

Someone (August 21, 2007)

So it's lower quality?

fallingupwards84 (August 21, 2007)

what Walmart should be doing instead is selling sweatshop-free clothing

nice to know they have their priorities straight

5+ Replies

Someone (August 21, 2007)

who doesnt use sweatshop clothing anymore?

OKSoda (August 21, 2007)

nosweatapparel.com or americanapparel.net to name a few. And there are a lot of other, smaller companies.

Someone (August 21, 2007)

agreed

how many times have you talked to someone and ended up on the topic of sweatshops and they go, "well, at least they have jobs"...

Someone (August 21, 2007)

if people are willing to work in sweatshops, let em. Maybe they will get smart and revolt against their dictators. I dont mind the cheap clothing for the time being
.

Someone (August 21, 2007)

why be complacent about it? those people don't have many options as far as "decent" work goes. sweatshops are not ideal places for people to work, or for privileged people like you and i to let continue.

FuckYouOiOiOi (August 21, 2007)

I'll bet you've never had to work more than 8 hours in your life. how the fuck can you justify multi-billion dollar corporations working children 18 hours a day for pennies an hour?

allison_le_gnome (August 22, 2007)

Holy shit, FYOOO made a good legitimate point!

notfeelingcreative (August 22, 2007)

Yeah, my respect for him just tripled with that single post!

Someone (August 21, 2007)

riiiigght, because working ungodly hours, being beat/raped by your boss, etc is acceptable so that you can strut around the mall in your goddamn billabong sideways hat and $360 diesel jeans. what a douche bag you are.

these people have little options for jobs outside of other really shitty jobs and prostitution.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

Yeah, they'll probably get reallllly smart working 14 hour days in a factory doing repetitive, demeaning work. Oh wait, maybe they'll be making rise against shirts and read their cliche slogans and get filled with teen-angst.

fallingupwards84 (August 22, 2007)

actually Rise Against only uses American-made shirts

acris (August 22, 2007)

Many don't have a choice. Lots of bullying and anti-union feelings. They need the money to keep themselves alive, and will keep on working in extreme conditions just for that. They are desperate.

YasserBossin (August 22, 2007)

exactly, i did a huge research paper on this topic...my findings were that not only do they not have a choice to do this kind of work, they actually look forward to being old enough to work. in some areas, schools are available but most see education past the first few grades as a waste of time.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

Wahooooo sweatshops! Fuck the kids

mnx12 (August 21, 2007)

To me it doesn't stop piracy unless it's a rare/exclusive track, because someone will go buy the cd and spread that. I honestly don't care that it's drm-free unless the quality is top notch, which neither iTunes or Wal-Mart will be as it sounds. Besides that, I would never buy music digitally, I like having the physical cd...

AlmostPunkEnough (August 21, 2007)

normally Wal-Mart would be the more evil choice between any two given corps., but Apple really pisses me off to no end. particularly when they whine about how they'd 'wuv to not use DRM but the big bad music companies make them', awwww, poor Apple.

regardless of DRM, i'd be more inclined to pick Wal-art (you know, if i EVER bought music online, which i can't see any possible reason for doing) just because i'm sure their shit won't be in ultra-aggravating M4A form.

but again, can someone explain to me why the fuck you'd ever pay for an online song. hell at $1.29 for a song at iTunes (i had no idea of this price gouging) you can almost definitley get any full album cheaper at pretty much an indie record store i've ever been to.

in concluion, fuck Wal-Mart and fuck Apple so much harder. preferably by force. in the ear.

2+ Replies

FuckYouOiOiOi (August 21, 2007)

your forgetting the majority of consumers are brainwashed mtv-obeying retards who just want the single, not the whole album.

AlmostPunkEnough (August 21, 2007)

a valid point. god i hate humanity.

trevor_the_exploder (August 21, 2007)

if only a good retailer would sell music online...like costco or something. at least they pay their workers...

3+ Replies

Someone (August 21, 2007)

maybe Dollar General after that

Holy_Balls (August 22, 2007)

I bought 2 lame metal CD's from the dollar store for $2 and Wharehouse music bought them both for $5.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

yeah, at least they pay their workers, and they couldn't be a more perfect example of over-consumption. Oh wait, I forgot, most people need a 14 L tub of mayonnaise.

Someone (August 21, 2007)

cd's all the way!

3+ Replies

Someone (August 21, 2007)

torrents FTW!

notfeelingcreative (August 22, 2007)

You and I are the last of a dying breed.

Smithy (August 22, 2007)

Add me to that list too.

CDs are the new vinyl.

BarleyPat (August 22, 2007)

Agreed 100%

Someone (August 21, 2007)

I think many people miss the point on this. Wal Mart selling things cheaper is how they smash their competetion, but they do not do it out of the goodness of their hearts, but by selling in bulk and preying on people's impuliveness. This may seem like common knowledge, but you'd be suprised how many forget it, or ignore it (i hope this is fake - www.forwalmart.com). They give the illusion of choice by selling in many departments, but in reality, is there that much variety in Walmart's clothing? The movies Walmart sells? (mostly non special editions, shitty movies in bins at discounted prices). If Walmart were to wipe out every small business in a certain department (like lets say, groceries) you could only purchase what THEY feel you should buy. This means no GG Allin, sorry kids, WalMart isnt THAT liberal.

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13+ Replies

Someone (August 21, 2007)

You have to pay for choice, remember that too.

Bakla (August 21, 2007)

I'm with you on this one!

niveK82 (August 21, 2007)

Also, once the competition are gone the prices can go up.

Someone (August 21, 2007)

Sorry, I'm an economics grad student and have to say my peace on this:

Lower prices are a good thing! They increase our purchasing power. Those of us with few dollars can buy a larger bundle of goods at lower prices. The effect is the same as getting a pay raise. This is good for the poor!

I'm not sure why the commenter above -- or any liberal -- would take issue with lower prices.

And of course, if someone doesn't like Wal-mart, they never have to set foot inside one. We are free to choose where we shop.

Bakla (August 21, 2007)

you are a fucking liar & not an economics grad, lower prices isn’t even the issue with Walmart you stupid fuck! Are you from the Heritage Foundation? For argument sake I am also an economics grad!

Someone (August 21, 2007)

Bakla - if you disagree with me, I might suggest attacking the merits of my arguments. Saying that I'm a "fucking liar" and a "stupid fuck" has nothing to do with what I said about Wal-mart.

I might suggest actually saying what the issue with Walmart is, my friend.

And no, I'm not from the Heritage Foundation. I'm not exactly a fan of theirs, either.

Bakla (August 22, 2007)

Everyone knows the evils of shopping at Walmart repeating them would be redundant even the people who continue to shop at Walmart know the facts they’re just too stupid too care! I’m glad that an economics grad is standing up for poor people like me, but we don’t need your sympathy! We don’t need more cheap crap that’s made in China by sweat shop workers to clutter our apartments we need good jobs, good wages, & good benefits! Good Wages & benefits, as an economics grad I’m sure you think this is bad for business & stock holders! What does your economics degree say about all of Walmart’s government subsidies? You can shove your economics degree up your ass, stop sucking corporate cock! When the Hatefucks come to your town to rock a DIY venue introduce your self to the drunken guy who looks like Elvis, this will be me I prefer silly debates in person! As the Grand Wizard of P

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AnArchaeologist (August 21, 2007)

I'm thinking about going into Econ grad school. Is it worth it guys?

Someone (August 21, 2007)

Definitely. Economics is basically the study of human incentive and how it affects behavior. You can use the economic way of thinking in anything from finance to politics to evolutionary biology. Go for it!

Someone (August 22, 2007)

It is a broad discipline, which can be very beneficial, but have you considered a more focused grad program perhaps? Maybe even a professional school if you are truely interested?

PretentiousLikePitchfork (August 21, 2007)

i'm going to have to go against you on this one. yes, lower prices equate greater purchasing power, but the problem with wal mart (and by extension, Best Buy, Target, Fred Meyer, etc. etc.) is that it eliminates local competition by putting smaller companies that can't compete with the lower price purge out of business. this is even more true in smaller towns where the source of the local economy is based upon local businesses, farms, etc. the local ma and pa can't lower their prices because then they won't be able to pay the rent. the landlord can't lower the rent because then the mortgage won't be paid. will the banks lower the interest on the mortgage..or even the monthly payment? probably not. it's an endless cycle that only companies like wal mart can play by because they have the economic means to go with lower prices...but the average business can't do it. so

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Someone (August 21, 2007)

I find it funny how if the market is free, and wal mart ends up eliminating its competition, it could monopolize. Isn't a single power kinda a communist idea? Or a facist one?

Someone (August 21, 2007)

can it be said that there will be constant competition? i'm no economics student, so that's a legit question. i do as much reading as i can, and i side with more, what you're consider "liberal" politics. However, I have a friend who's an econ student and huge republican guy... he's always shutting me down with his fancy book smarts :(

Someone (August 21, 2007)

If republicans could get rid of the bible, and if democrats could get rid of righteous coffeehouse politicians, i think america would be looking good. Fiscally conservative, but socially progrressive. Too bad it'd never happen.

rubyx (August 22, 2007)

http://www.lp.org

Someone (August 22, 2007)

Again, too bad it will never happen :'( It would take a nuclear fallout at this point to eliminate bi-partisan politics.

doomcloud (August 22, 2007)

this is one of the best comments ever but its fucking buried on this thread

Someone (August 22, 2007)

lower prices = good thing

lower prices due to the fact that you don't pay your workers enough, don't provide benefits and don't allow unions= bad thing

Wal-mart right now is working to get their workforce at 60% part-time so they can spend even less on paying workers and providing even the basic level of insurance or health benefits.

There are ways to lower prices other than by depriving your workers of just compensation. In fact, productivity is much higher among people who actually get decent wages and hours because they feel like their job has value.

And I don't think more purchasing power can offset the oodles of subsidies Wal-Mart gets from federal and state governments.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

Welcome to the class gap, we got fun and games

Someone (August 22, 2007)

Enough said in the subject head. I'm sure others have extensively countered your empty, freshman-level argument so I'm not going to waste my own time.

Two things, though: many people in this country HAVE NO CHOICE as to where they shop because Monolith Mart has stamped out the alternatives with their empty, short-term price cuts; and being a "grad student," don't you read the news? Does "lead paint" ring a bell for ya? So much for low prices being "good for the poor" ...

doomcloud (August 22, 2007)

lower prices doesnt help our economy when most the products are manufactured in china. its counter productive and enpowers our competition. Its actually creating a dependency on foreign products and if allowed to flourish will actually end up destroying more jobs than it creates.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

I can't speak for other's reactions, but misspelling "piece" in the your first sentence doesn't help your credibility.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

You are 100% correct sir! I'm glad I'm not the only one. Walmarts market power is devastating to our society. Let's ignore for a second the more important issues like how they are destroying downtowns, local diversity, and enslaving Chinese left and right.

If we look at just music itself, Walmart is leading the race to the bottom of good music. Walmarts catalog of music titles it offers is only a portion of what is normally available at a dedicated music store. However, they make up nearly a majority of the market last time I read. Now, if you want your album to be a commercial success, it has to be Walmart friendly otherwise you are abandoning 50% of your market because they won't carry it. This causes major labels to even moreso focus on the "sure thing" rather than take chances on new sounds like they did 10 years ago.

For indie labels,

show rest of commentYou are 100% correct sir! I'm glad I'm not the only one. Walmarts market power is devastating to our society. Let's ignore for a second the more important issues like how they are destroying downtowns, local diversity, and enslaving Chinese left and right.

If we look at just music itself, Walmart is leading the race to the bottom of good music. Walmarts catalog of music titles it offers is only a portion of what is normally available at a dedicated music store. However, they make up nearly a majority of the market last time I read. Now, if you want your album to be a commercial success, it has to be Walmart friendly otherwise you are abandoning 50% of your market because they won't carry it. This causes major labels to even moreso focus on the "sure thing" rather than take chances on new sounds like they did 10 years ago.

For indie labels, it means the end of physical distribution at some point. Walmart won't carry most indie releases and most indie stores that do can't compete with Walmarts prices and the legions of mindless music fans who don't care. When dedicated music stores and chains die out...which they are...it'll mean no more physical outlets for indie music. Walmart will control who lives and who dies. And since all you fucks pirate all the music you get online anyay, it means no source of revenue for labels to fund new recording projects.

So we'll pretty much just be left with what Walmart tells us to listen to because as sad as it is, most bands can't afford to put together a coherent full length album without some kind of label support or mommy money. It can be done, but not in the numbers or breadth of diversity we take for granted today.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

There are so many things that are actually wrong with Wal-mart, and you mentioned none of them.
How about the fact that they buy shoddier versions of the same products you'll find elsewhere from most companeis they deal with? These products look the same, but they're gonna break a lot quicker. But all people see is the look and the lower price.
How about the aforementioned sweat shop labor for clothes?
There's more, but, for goodness' sake, everything you mentioned is a matter of personal preference, not right or wrong.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

Well said. I dig the Naomi Klein reference. Everyone should read her book "No Logo."

Someone (August 21, 2007)

Anyone from this site who buys music from Wal-Mart is an asshole.

-PuNk RoCk PeTe

1+ Reply

BarleyPat (August 22, 2007)

I'm not sure I could find a CD I wanted at Wal-Mart and if I did, it would probably be edited. Wait, I like Fleetwood Mac. They probably carry that. Does that make me gay?

jpsingh (August 21, 2007)

walmart=against me!!
everyone gripes about it but everyone knows where theyre going for thier toothpaste and thier tasy pop hooks.

4+ Replies

mynameisbud (August 21, 2007)

exactly

allison_le_gnome (August 22, 2007)

Nice.

notfeelingcreative (August 22, 2007)

Fuck that, I can't stand being in a walmart, the three cash register to every one hundred customers ratio is ridiculous!

acris (August 22, 2007)

Not to mention all of the screaming fat children.

Allthesame (August 21, 2007)

Ironically enough, Wal-Mart are the ones actually being 'punk rock' in this case and standing up to compete with itunes and the norm. there is absolutely zero punk in owning an ipod, as ipods ironically are the wal-mart of music players. thus its a cycle. anyways, its a balsy move in uncharted territory, challenging the leader or 'popular' guy, and in essence that is punk.

8+ Replies

Someone (August 21, 2007)

wal mart--the shape of punk to come

Someone (August 21, 2007)

can i scream?

YEAH!

we have the motion
to move to the new prices

FuckYouOiOiOi (August 21, 2007)

i've got a boner for capitalism!!!

BarleyPat (August 22, 2007)

Funniest thing I've heard today.

Someone (August 21, 2007)

i know the term "punk" is pretty lose and open to definition, but i never, ever, nor do i currently consider a multi-million dollar global corporation to have anything to do with "punk" or the ethics i associate with it. just because said mega-giant company is ultimately trying to undercut a few other people in the long run and make more money for themselves does not make them punk. by that definition, bill oreilly is punk rock by supporting the president depsite the president's 20-something approval rating.

Coldwaffles (August 22, 2007)

right...

punkpunkpunkpunkpunk...

doomcloud (August 22, 2007)

i have a samsung, fuck ipod, fuck walmart and fuck you

Someone (August 22, 2007)

It's hardly punk or a "challenge" to Apple. Walmart could good two shits less what Apple is doing with their store. They see a market opportunity, and they are exploiting it.

That said, anyone that feeds the beast (walmart) when there are plenty of other options out there is an asshole. I'd rather pay $1.29 to Apple whose employees have healthcare than pay $0.94 to Walmart whom have made a fortune on destroying downtowns in the USA and enslaving hundreds of thousands of Chinese to produce $20 blue jeans.

Allthesame (August 23, 2007)

there is no agreeance in any wal mart practices, i feel very indignant toward the company for numerous reasons. i dont think they should be commended by any means. but as a goliath, itunes needed to be stepped up to by another goliath. the money both companies make is disgusting, its true. but itunes does not deserve to nor should they monopolize the digital music business. if a bunch of stand up ethical moral 'punk' idealistic business dudes would liek to form a digital music alliance and challnge itunes then i would encourage that as well, but sadly we are stuck with wal mart doing it. (and ultimately universal music group lets not forget, whom distibutes many 'punk' indies)

KurtTGS (August 21, 2007)

Well lets see here....Soulseek changed their price to...oh, its still free.

I love piracy.

4+ Replies

fallingupwards84 (August 21, 2007)

haha i love Soulseek

AlmostPunkEnough (August 22, 2007)

me fucking too.

acris (August 22, 2007)

thirded.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

Well good for you. I guess some people feel no shame in being the freerider while others subsidize the cost of the recording by actually paying for their music.

More power to you though. I hope the RIAA sues you.

KurtTGS (August 22, 2007)

Thank you, National Dumbass Day.

The only time I buy music is at shows, fyi.

skankbook (August 21, 2007)

Honest question: Do people actually buy music online? Will this effect anyone here?

I'll admit I have an iPod (used 30g for $125 on eBay) and use iTunes (good for organizing), but I've never spent money on the service. If I'm going to download an album, I'll just do it for free, be it from one of the many sites out there or directly from an artist (such as Bomb the Music Industry! or Defiance, Ohio or even that Ben Lee Against Me! cover album). If I want to purchase music, I'll go to the record store or go to the band's site or Interpunk or something.

8+ Replies

Someone (August 21, 2007)

this is what i do

Someone (August 21, 2007)

"if people are willing to work in sweatshops, let em. Maybe they will get smart and revolt against their dictators. I dont mind the cheap clothing for the time being."

Fuck you.

-Erik

Someone (August 21, 2007)

You should have said "this is why i'm hot"

allison_le_gnome (August 22, 2007)

I've gotten iTunes gift cards a few times, but the only time I've actually paid for songs on iTunes has been when an artist I don't want to pirate from has an iTunes-exclusive song.

AlmostPunkEnough (August 22, 2007)

my sister comes over my place all the time, she brings her laptop. she sits on my couch and gets songs from iTunes. i sit there and tell her i can give her ANYTHING she wants from somewhere or another, sometimes i even have the actual album, a hard copy. and she still wants to DL songs. i don't get it, i'm sure i never will.

allison_le_gnome (August 22, 2007)

I do kind of understand it, though I don't do it myself- people don't want to steal music, but they're too lazy to buy a physical CD and rip it or they only want one song, and they don't know enough to care about DRM.

Hasheesh (August 22, 2007)

Exactly. I paid to download "Easy Lover" to my phone and that is it. There is absolutely no comparison to owning the art and liner notes and lyrics and just the actual product itself.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

I used to buy music online because I believe in paying for things that cost money to make and distribute in the first place and supporting labels and artists.

BUT, I stopped using iTunes store and instead now I just buy the CD and rip it to my iPod. I still pay what is owed, but now I get the original uncompressed audio on CD forever rather than compressed DRM tracks.

Until we are downloading original WAV files online with no compression (and a hard drive large enough to support 10000 files like that), it makes no sense to get your music any other way than buying the CD. If you are going to spend your money, why not have the original full quality music on hand for the future even if you do transfer it in mp3 format to your portable player?

Fact: In 5 or 6 years, HDDs will be large enough to support uncompressed audio on a massiv

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Someone (August 21, 2007)

*Friend sends me links to various Henry Rollins spoken word youtube videos that I have seen before, via messenger:

FRIEND: i think he has some funny... some is a bit to much though
ME: like what?
ME: i usually agree with his politics, he's very well spoken and intelligent. his "letters to" segments are hilarious
FRIEND: ya but over excited in some cases. like he has strong points but over embellises them some times to where u loose the intelegent parts even
ME: I don't think so... is there something in particular? Thing about Henry is that he's intense and full of expression. He's setting up a story..
FRIEND: ya like hes how henry rollins is protesting the war bit... his points r really good but i just dont like how over done he trys to get them across

good christ, can i get some friend's with fucking brains for on

show rest of comment

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Someone (August 21, 2007)

I'm thinking about going to one of his spoken word shows, are they good? Will I be slightly unsettled by him and feel uncomfortable as I watch his neck veins throb after he goes on an angry rant?

Someone (August 21, 2007)

dude what if he SEES that

acris (August 22, 2007)

Overdone? I don't think he gets them across as well as he could. I think that Henry has a lot of good ideas all packed in his head, but whenever he tries to talk about them, the weak points come out and it's not that good. It's really disappointing because you KNOW he can do better.

And his stand up comedy would be better if he was better at delivery and didn't start giggling in the middle of his jokes.

Someone (August 21, 2007)

wal mart is and always has been punX

giving cheap t-shirts to the masses= punX
setting prices across the markets because of massive influence over bulk purchasing= punX
and fat ugly people shop there
fat ugly people= PunxX

1+ Reply

Someone (August 22, 2007)

whats the fuck is punX, learn to spell fucker

Ben_Conoley (August 21, 2007)

I buy records.

3+ Replies

Someone (August 21, 2007)

Amen. But due to how much money and spend, and the fact that I'm usually poor most of the time, I download some material on soulseek first if I'm skeptical. Gaslight Anthem--heard two songs and bought... A lot of the other music I've managed to miss out on in 24 years gets the test, I delete if I don't like, buy if I do. It's only right. Don't be a douche.

fallingupwards84 (August 21, 2007)

yep i download it on soulseek first, if i like it then i'll buy it on record

Someone (August 21, 2007)

Can I suck your dick?

PhantomBoner (August 21, 2007)

Just use Downloadpunk.com. No DRM, no evil corporations. And mostly good music.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

$1.29? Sickboi, what are you talking about? I have ITunes store loaded up and it still says they are still 99 cents.

1+ Reply

allison_le_gnome (August 22, 2007)

The DRM-free songs are $1.29.

hooligan667 (August 22, 2007)

I dont really see what the debate is about anyways... buying mp3s is bullshit anyways, whether it is from Wal*Mart or iTunes.

The way I see it, you have 4 options:
1. Be a pirate and download the shit for free;

2. Buy the album from some INDEPENDENT online distributor (like AY&P or Dr. Strange records);

3. Support your local INDEPENDENT record store (if they don't have what you want, ask them to get it... most decent punk labels are distributed world-wide);

or

4. GO TO A SHOW, BUY A GODDAMNED CD THERE AND SUPPORT THE BAND LIKE YOU SHOULD. This is the only way hard-working bands make money anyways.

But that's just my humble opinion.

1+ Reply

Someone (August 22, 2007)

word.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

Post awesome song lyrics in this comment thing.

http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=99198

Someone (August 22, 2007)

Spending money with walmart makes you directly complicit in slavery. Just because you can't see it or hear about it on CNN doesn't make you any less guilty. A member of my family has been to those factories in China that supply walmart...and it's absolutely horrific the things that go on.

I saw some video that was taken of a metal stamping operation a few weeks ago. They literally place the chinese inside the machine and they have about 3 inches clearance over their heads and sides from instant death. When one person doesn't get out of the way fast enough after changing out the parts, he get's flattened. They just grab another one in a billion and put him in his place.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

DRM NEEDS TO GO!!!

I do not buy itunes because of DRM. To me buying a song with DRM encoding is more like renting the song because it will never really be yours to do what you want with. Not to mention the fact that its file limitations are a violation of our consumer rights. And don't even get me started on the fact that itunes do not come in MP3 format! The nerve of those apple fuck-tards!!

If apple went DRM-free, mp3 distribution, I would have no problem paying even its increased price of $1.29 per track. Independent record stores that stock the music us punknewsers enjoy are becoming increasingly harder to find. Online downloads are fit into our lives so well, but this DRM thing is really a drag.

I am glad to see companies realizing their mistakes and taking action (even if it is Wal-Mart).

So would I purchase DRM-free

show rest of comment

4+ Replies

Someone (August 22, 2007)

If you can't stand DMR so much, just burn the fucking song for a CD. Then you can upload it to wherever you want and it's free to do anything you want it to do.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

I agree and that's what I have done in the past, but burning a CD is annoying and it takes time and wastes a CD.

Part of the reason I like to get my music digitally is that it frees me of any excess physical baggage. I have a small apartment and I'm already storing way too many CDs.

I am a sentimentalist at heart, but if I never have to purchase another physical CD I think I would be that much better off. Same goes for buying blank CDs just to burn M4A's to so that I can rip them back as mp3s.

Someone (August 22, 2007)

I am a professional musician (sometimes my band is on punknews.org too), which of course means i'm pretty broke all the time. I shop at Wal-Mart (even though they are evil) because they are way cheaper than the Target or the Albertsons near me. So from a consumer's perspective I love the idea that Wal-Mart is showing some initiative.

This is not the first time. They were the first major chain to give the middle finger to the drug industry too - over 300 generic (Wal-Mart brand) prescription medications available without insurance for $4. They are also trying to fuck over the banking industry by starting a savings and loan with the lowest rates (right now the government is trying to keep them from it for obvious reasons). So I applaud Wal-Mart for actually understanding that no one has any fucking money right now.

From a musician's perspective, i

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KurtTGS (August 23, 2007)

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