IP: my.mp3.com encodes CDs without labels' permission

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

> Reply-To: <jelyon () jelyon com>
> From: "John Lyon" <jelyon () jelyon com>
> To: <farber () cis upenn edu>
>
> Mr. Farber;
>
> This may be of some interest to some IPers. I've added some of my own
> comments, based on my use of the service.
>
> Excerpt from "Cyberscope" in Newsweek, available at the following URL:
>    http://newsweek.com/nw-srv/printed/us/dept/cs/a35394-2000jan16.htm
> ----------------[begin]----------------
> MP3.com's New Tune
>
> Newsweek, January 24, 2000
>
> Last July music industry nemesis Michael Robertson guided MP3.com to a
> high-flying IPO, leaving record execs wondering what he'd do for an encore.
> The unwelcome answer came last week: without seeking permission from the
> major labels, MP3.com has encoded 40,000 CDs from a variety of artists to
> help Net users create their own personalized online jukeboxes.
> ...
> ----------------[ end ]----------------
>
> Should be an interesting tussle between the RIAA and MP3.COM.
>
> There are plenty of privacy issues to consider, as well.
>
> The service works like this:
>
> - User registers at my.mp3.com
>
> - User downloads and installes "Beam-It" - a program that reads a CD and
> compares it to the online database. If there is a match, it allows the user
> to access the tracks as MP3s from my.mp3.com (after logging in).
>
> - The tracks are streamed, not downloaded. (Tracks can be downloaded, if
> someone wishes to take the time to do so. I'm not sure what the payoff would
> be, in the long run. I'd just as soon make my own MP3s to my own
> specifications. It's also not practical over low bandwidth pipes)
>
> - URLs change about once an hour - keeps users from creating links to the
> MP3 files.
>
> - If user gives out account information, which is then used to log in twice,
> a file plays that indicates that the user is already logged in.
>
> I did run a sniffer while "beaming" a CD, and didn't notice anything more
> than track numbers and what appeared to be offset numbers sent back to
> my.mp3.com - I would guess it's similar to what is passed to the CD Database
> (www.cddb.com) with a CDDB enabled player.
>
> I like the service, as I can stream any of the tracks from the CDs I've
> "beamed" _and_ are in the database, while at work.
>
> I am aware that my listening habits can be tracked, and I can be marketed
> to, very, _very_ specifically. That may or may not be a bad thing, but I can
> filter the messages right to the trash, if I wish.
>
> As I said, should be an interesting tussle. My money is on the RIAA - I can
> imagine an agreement where artists have to give specific permission for
> their works to be made available, and the service ends up a ghost of itself,
> much like www.lyrics.ch, which was killed by a lawsuit that was eventually
> "settled." That much loved site is now worthless.
>
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