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MySpace, which built its music business' image on being independent, faces dissent from the indie music industry

The MySpace Music service officially launched yesterday.  The site now provides an MP3 shopping solution via Amazon MP3, which offers DRM-free 256 kbps tracks for as little as $0.89.  The new site has the backing of all four major labels.  It's looking to take on iTunes, the number one music retailer in the nation.

The music branch of MySpace always thrived off of an independent image.  This is evident by its extensive advertisement deals with independent film studios and its promotion of indie artists such as Sara Bareilles, Matt Costa, and MGMT.  When MySpace launched, it was expected that it would launch hand in hand with the independent music community.

However, the newly conceived service is being blasted by some independent music's top representatives.  Rich Bengloff, President of the American Association of Independent Music which represents Saddle Creek, Matador Records, Sub Pop and many other independent labels, released a statement that blasts MySpace for its unequal treatment of independent music industry that bred its success.

At the heart of the conflict is that MySpace gave the major labels equity, but refused to allow independent labels to become equity participants.  Mr. Bengloff stated, "We at A2IM echo the comments of friends in the independent music community, such as MERLIN, in our shared view that any independent deal struck without an equity component, (as was done with the majors), will see independent labels face a situation whereby their major competitors will profit from the use of their repertoire without an appropriate upside opportunity being extended to them by MySpace Music and its major label equity partners."

Additionally, the independent labels are frustrated that MySpace Music features only some independent distributors and aggregators, leaving out many notable independent labels and artists.

Mr. Bengloff and independent music leaders are hoping to work with MySpace to obtain equal treatment for smaller labels.  Also, it is hoped that MySpace will expand its offerings, adding more independent labels in the near future.  However, independent musicians and record labels are adamant -- if MySpace Music turns its back on the independent music, which made it, the independent music community may turn its back on MySpace.

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By sprockkets on 9/26/2008 9:45:33 AM , Rating: 2
a social networking site is a middle man for amazon music and offers us what over amazon so that we should care?

"We are disappointed that they are not offering independant music."

Really? I'm disappointed they are offering music in the first place.




RE: .
By Digimonkey on 9/26/2008 9:52:56 AM , Rating: 3
It actually makes sense. There are alot of people on myspace, and alot of myspace pages contain streaming music. So if you go to someone's page and really like a song you hear on the page, having a buy song option would be very convenient.

It would be in Myspace's best interest to support all the Myspace independent artists as well, but there may be some limitations to their deal with Amazon.


RE: .
By MrX8503 on 9/26/2008 10:13:36 AM , Rating: 2
I think the main success of itunes comes from the ipod monopoly.

It doesn't matter if myspace/amazon offers better services, better quality, cheaper price, even drm free tracks. It all goes down to the player.

Quite frankly I don't understand why ipods are so popular, and why ipod owners accept drm restrictions.


RE: .
By xti on 9/26/2008 12:17:20 PM , Rating: 2
status symbol.

ipod = armani sweaters
creative nomad = no-name band tshirt that old navy wouldnt even sell.


RE: .
By bdjohnson on 9/26/2008 4:26:52 PM , Rating: 3
I don't disagree with your point, but I think a big part is also ease of use. ripping a CD, finding a place to download music, and manually managing music files on your computer are all tasks that your average person is almost completely incapable of doing. itunes/ipod work together very seamlessly compared to other products.


RE: .
By Alexstarfire on 9/27/2008 7:52:41 PM , Rating: 2
I've never been into status symbols. To me it just shows that you'd rather not make your own decisions based off of facts and evidence. I buy what I think is quality products. If they happen to not be whatever is popular.... then so be it. I might start by looking at the popular products, but I have yet to purchase one.


RE: .
By killerb255 on 9/29/2008 12:33:22 PM , Rating: 2
I don't disagree with your way of thinking (in fact, I totally agree with it!), but business benefits from social trends. If people don't care to look at facts and evidence, then businesses will exploit that (and save money by doing so!)


RE: .
By Myg on 9/26/2008 1:44:52 PM , Rating: 2
Because, like explained below; its not about the product. Its about the stereotyped 'lifestyle' that is pre-packaged and sold with it :-)

Remember when Apple pinned all those ipods on the celebrities/movie stars and all the gossip papers plastered those pictures around the world?

Yea, that was the moment: Buy an ipod and appear like a rich sophisticated person...

Apple certainly dont make the best products; but good luck to ya if you want to try and compete with their image!


RE: .
By foolsgambit11 on 9/26/2008 2:02:16 PM , Rating: 3
Just to clarify your post, iPod owners don't accept DRM restrictions. Nor do iTunes users. iTunes Music Store users accept DRM restrictions. Now, the fact that many iPod users buy tracks from the iTunes music store doesn't mean that other (smarter) iPod users won't buy DRM-free music and import it into their iTunes Music Library.

While there may be several valid reasons not to buy an iPod, the option to use the iTunes Music Store's DRM-restricted music is not a negative, but is rather an additional feature. One many here aren't interested in, but it doesn't affect the rest of the functionality of the iPod.

Of course, iTunes, as a program, is a big drag on the iPod. That thing is a piece of fecal matter, at least on the Windows platform. Is it as slow and retarded on Macs?


RE: .
By bhieb on 9/26/2008 10:15:26 AM , Rating: 2
It offers us the opportunity to entice the sheep of the market that don't even realize how they are being screwed by DRM. I've used Amazon for a while now, but let's face it the average Joe 14 year old on myspace has no idea what the benefits are. Anything that can be done to promote a DRM-free solution is a good thing. Amazon needs these types of tie-ins to topple iTunes. With any luck they will succeed.


RE: .
By the goat on 9/26/2008 10:29:31 AM , Rating: 2
I think I have figured out why ipod and itunes are so popular.

The vast majority of customers actually want to be forced to buy proprietary and DRM restricted music and players. This is mostly subconscious.

For the vast majority of users the technologies used by digital music players is just way beyond their comprehension. To them learning about these things in order to make an informed decision is just not worth it.

Therefor it is easier to buy a DRM restricted player and content because they know what they are getting. Even if they know they are getting a bad deal financially (high money/value). For them it is worth the extra financial expense just because it saves them from (what they see as) a huge intellectual investment.

It comes down to the simple difference between buying through itunes or buying from amazon and having to import the mp3s into itunes yourself. That one extra step is massive.


RE: .
By killerb255 on 9/29/2008 12:46:26 PM , Rating: 2
I agree.

To elaborate:

1) iPods are simple to them. Importing mp3s yourself--extra step that's deemed as "unnecessary" to them (just like you said).
2) They're trendy (Nike Air Jordan vs the no-name brand tennis shoe). Standard mp3 players make them come off as "dorks."

Honestly, I don't even think DRM is on their radar.

Perhaps there are more sensing (S) personalities out there (keep it simple, "here and now", has to stimulate the five senses) than iNtuitive N personalities ("there's always more to it", "past or future", has to stimulate only one sense: the brain). After all, S traits are inborn, N traits are learned.


"Spreading the rumors, it's very easy because the people who write about Apple want that story, and you can claim its credible because you spoke to someone at Apple." -- Investment guru Jim Cramer

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