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March 27, 2007

itunes_store

Apple may give music buyers some credit

Posted Mar. 27, ’07, 9:24 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | iTunes » iTunes Store

iTunes singlesThe single-track sales model of iTunes has been a blessing for the most part: no more buying an entire crappy album—instead, just buy the one crappy single. But should you decided that the album in question is actually worth your $9.99, it means you end up with two copies of that single you bought to try it out, as well as a grand total of $10.98. Bummer, right?

According to a New York Times article from Sunday, Apple is looking to remedying this situation:

Apple, in consultation with several labels, has been planning to offer iTunes users credit for songs they have already purchased if they then choose to buy the associated album in a certain period of time, according to people involved in the negotiations. (Under Apple’s current practice, customers who buy a song and then the related album effectively pay for the song twice).
Oh, New York Times: Steve Jobs is banning you from Apple-related events as we speak. But we still love you.

Needless to say, given that this is still reputedly in “negotiations,” there’s always the potential that the recording industry will balk—I know, I know; that’s so unlike them. But should Apple and Jobs manage to bulldoze the labels into playing their way, the result is a win for consumers everywhere, and potentially higher album sales for artists and record companies alike. Speaking of which, how about some action on DRM, Steve-o?

[via Infinite Loop]


1 Comments

Walt Basil said:

I make between 10-30 purchases a month on iTunes. I can see myself using that purchasing model on a television show series. You know, buy the pilot and if I like it and decide I want the entire season, then I get discounted the price of the pilot from the season if I purchase the season within a reasonable amount of time. What that reasonable amount of time is would be up for argument, I'm sure.

I can't see myself doing that with music. I buy songs because they are the songs I like and I have heard them (thanks in part to Squizz on XM). I think the most songs I have bought off an album have been 3. I guess I could see others benefitting from it, but not myself.

March 27, 2007 10:05 AM

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