IP: Forget all the oinline music stuff... in fact forget the CD

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: "Charles Arthur, The Independent" <carthur () independent co uk>
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 16:47:15 +0000
To: farber () cis upenn edu
Subject: Forget all the oinline music stuff... in fact forget the CD


http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/new_media/newsid_1881000/1881
039.
stm


Britney Spears, 'N Sync and R Kelly are to release their music in a new
format intended to replace the CD, it has been reported.
    The artists' record label, Jive Records, will become the first
label to commit their roster to the new DataPlay medium, according to the
Hollywood Reporter.
    "The feedback to DataPlay has been overwhelmingly positive" - Pete
Jones, BMG Distribution
    The DataPlay format is designed to store almost any kind of
information in a disc which looks like a large coin in a clear plastic
shell.
    The availability of three of the world's biggest-selling pop
artists will be seen as a vote of confidence in the new medium, due to go
on sale in the US this summer.

------

Yeah, but the thing that the record companies *really* like about it is
that you can tie a DataPlay disc to a PC - and can't share the files once
"unlocked". And they can sell you an album but unlock it song by song. Jay
Samit of EMI is *very* keen on this. If you haven't heard of Dataplay, read
up about it (the company's site at dataplay.com is pretty useless - but
it's too new for many people to have done much. PCWorld.com has something,
on a quick google.)

Replace the CD? They'll try - BMG, EMI and Universal are signed up and I'd
be surprised if others don't follow. Jive Records is the world's biggest
independent. That's some head of steam.

And how much do DataPlay discs cost?
"DataPlay discs and music players are set to go on sale in the US in the
summer, with players likely to cost $280-$450 (£195-£315).
Blank discs are expected to cost $5-$12 (£3.50-£8.40). "

But don't think that the price of records will go *down*. Oh no. And
parents, just imagine the cries of "IWANNA Dataplay player cos the new
Britney's on it!!"

    Charles

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