News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

August 29, 2006

music

Universal joins “free” music initiative

Posted Aug. 29, ’06, 10:21 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Music

Spiral FrogIt’s my firm belief that the human race simply doesn’t want to pay for things. We will, understand, but if given the option to get something for free, well, half the time it doesn’t even matter what it is. Walk the exhibit hall at any convention, as I did this past weekend, and you’ll end up with posters, mousepads, and t-shirts that you wouldn’t dare spend money on…but if they’re free, well, it’s a different story.

Still, money has to be made somewhere, which is where my curiosity is piqued by this morning’s announcement that Universal’s music catalog will be available for free via a company called SpiralFrog. If you’re wondering what the heck SpiralFrog is, well, I can’t blame you—this is the first I’ve heard of them. Here’s what they have to say for themselves:

SpiralFrog (www.spiralfrog.com) is the new online music destination offering advertising-supported legal downloads of audio and video content licensed from the catalogs of the world’s leading record labels and from independents. SpiralFrog offers music-lovers a compelling alternative to illegal file-sharing and pirate sites, with a secure environment for them to satisfy their unyielding passion and thirst for music, entertainment, information and brands at no cost except for their time and attention.
I like that they borrow Apple’s old “competing with piracy” idea; it’s a smart one. Advertising-supported download seems to suggest web ads, but I have a hard time believing that it’s the extent of their business model. Doesn’t seem like Universal, who is making their entire catalog available, would reap enough return from that. And of course, the part that screams “catch” to me is that the music, though free, will still be DRM-laden. To my mind, that suggests Windows Media, which will prohibit the silver bullet of iPod compatibility—details on the arrangement are scarce at present, however. We’ll be watching SpiralFrog’s career with great interest.


2 Comments

JediAvatar said:

The whole thing sounds fishy to me...

But bravo to you for squeezing in a Star Wars reference at the end. You crack me up.

August 29, 2006 11:58 AM
RTOlson Author Profile Page said:

According to the International Herald Tribune, the service will use Windows Media DRM'd tracks. The article was interesting -- it quoted a spokesman saying that it's meant to be "complementary" to iTunes. That's odd because the service doesn't seem like it would work with iTunes, the iPod or Macs.

I'm also curious about how this service will make dollar one. Although it seems like users will have to visit the SpiralFrog site once a month to renew their music, I don't know how they'll generate enough ad revenue.

August 29, 2006 12:45 PM

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