Apple "in discussions" to curb piracy by allowing iPod owners free iTunes downloads
By Jonathan Schlaffer
It turns out that those of us that have paid the iPod “premium” may be allowed free downloads from the iTunes store. Apparently, Apple is in discussions with major record labels that would allow iPod owners unfettered, free downloads from the iTunes store. Those not owning iPods, nothing will change for you.
I haven’t seen any numbers on how many non-iPod owners use the iTunes store but my guess is not many. More iPod owners probably make use of the iTunes store than non-owners.
The Financial Times (via Engadget) reports that Apple is in discussions with major labels about a pricing scheme that would “give customers free access to the entire iTunes music library in exchange for paying a premium for its iPod and iPhone devices.”
iPhone users would be given a standard subscription model since it’s tied to a monthly plan anyway but iPod owners would benefit by gaining free iTunes downloads.
It’s well known that Apple doesn’t make much of a profit from iTunes sales; rather that comes from selling iPods and the tight integration between iTunes and iPods is what has made it a success.
This could definitely give Apple an edge. “Buy an iPod, get free unlimited music” certainly has a nice advertising ring to it. Of course, said music would (presumably) be laced with DRM and would only be compatible with the iPod or iTunes, but who cares? Apple has a majority of the digital audio player and digital sales market anyway so for most people this shouldn’t be a big deal.
The hold up appears to be Apple’s unwillingness to pay the labels what they want for their music; this happened once before and Apple eventually overcame them. Record labels need Apple more than it needs them.
There may be a few lasting problems, which iPods would this apply to? I can’t see it applying to the Shuffle or cheapest iPod Nano. I can see it applying to iPod Classics, upper market Nanos and the iPod Touch. Or perhaps it will be based on the size of the player, for example, buy an 8GB iPod get 8GB of free music.
Or, Apple could say that the program would only apply to iPods manufactured after a certain date and could base it on the size of the iPod as well. But I’m just guessing as to what it could do not necessarily what will actually happen, if it happens at all.
If it does happen, I can see many people turning away from pirating some or all of their music collection. It would really pay to be an iPod owner if the program sees the light of day.
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March 19th, 2008
Hey J
Lots of people use iTunes but don’t have an iPod.
March 19th, 2008
I realize that, I didn’t say all people, however, I was not referring to iTunes itself. If you’ll read again, I said “iTunes store.” More iPod owners probably purchase music from the iTunes store than non-owners.
I have no doubt that SOME non-iPod users may purchase things from the iTunes store but I fail to see the point of doing so.
Yes, plenty of people that don’t have an iPod use iTunes for library management, etc., but making use of the iTunes store is a separate function.