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August 2, 2007

itunes_store

AC/DC is too hip for iTunes

Posted Aug. 2, ’07, 5:19 AM PT by Derik DeLong
Category | iTunes » iTunes Store

AC/DC In a surprising move, AC/DC has given exclusive rights to Verizon for online distribution. Yeah, because sooo many people use it as their online music source. Exclusive deals serve exactly two parties. First, the artist because of the huge wad of cash they receive in return for the rights. Second, the music store because they get a boost (though it’s debatable about how much of a boost).

Guess who doesn’t win. Consumers. You can say the same thing about DRM and you’d have a point, but at least then you still have a choice of stores and you can always use the analog backdoor to remove it. Add to that Apple’s clearly willingness to remove DRM and, I hate to sound like an Apple fanboy, it becomes clear that Apple isn’t out to screw the consumer.

AC/DC is more interested in money than being loyal to its fans. Disappointing.


7 Comments

Paul said:

Every Guitar Hero fan has been saying the same thing for a year now. :)

August 2, 2007 5:47 AM
Blackrider said:

Yeah, hope they change their minds in the near future... But still, AC/DC is the best rock band on planet Earth. EVER! :)

August 2, 2007 6:23 AM
Matt said:

Looks like the torrent machines will be getting hotter

August 2, 2007 6:42 AM
George said:

I'm so tired of all the articles that paint iTunes and Apple as the great advocate of the consumer. Apple doesn't really care any more about the consumer than any other company. Jobs advocated DRM-free music because it was in the interest of the company to do so with all the issues in Europe concerning it; by doing so, he put the blame on the music companies. That one of them actually accepted the offer was just fortuitous and helped paint Apple in a good light.

And again, how is this exclusive deal any different than all of the exclusive tracks, videos and albums on iTunes? By the logic of this article, that does nothing but hurt the consumer. Yet, somehow the author concludes despite this fact that Apple isn't out to "screw the consumer" but AC/DC is.

I remember there is/was much excitement that The Beatles would show up on iTunes and be exclusive for a while. And I don't remember any complaints from this site about that being bad and hurting consumers. I suppose it's all okay if Apple does it, but bad when someone else.

August 2, 2007 7:39 AM
33Nick said:

Sounds like Verizon is pissed off to have missed the iPhone opportunity, so they are switching to the Microsoft tactic, undercut the El Supremo.

It wouldn't surprise of Verizon. They have scooped even lower.

August 2, 2007 9:41 AM
Christian said:

Bad decision - i would have loved to see all their songs on iTunes and any other music store un-DRMed!
My believe is, the more DRM is in the music the more music is "pirated".

Personally i couldn't care less as i already own every CD AC/DC ever published! :-))

Still exclusivity in music marketing is a bad decision for the customer.

August 3, 2007 6:25 AM
Dan Ballance said:

Ah, Verizon. AC/DC. Big whup this is. Their music has been available on CDs forever. If you were waiting for digital distribution to buy AC/DC's music, you obviously aren't a big enough fan to care that Verizon scooped up online distro rights.

However, people are dumb and will rebuy music time and time again if the new packaging is shiny, so Verizon will see increased sales and Angus can buy new school boy clothes. Hooray.

August 3, 2007 8:21 PM

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