Three Strikes in the UK & Legitimized P2P

Three Strikes appears to be dead in the UK:

"Music Pirates will not be Disconnected from the Internet"

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In other news, an attempt by Virgin to create a legitimized P2P service has been abandoned. For commentary on the situation and the future of legitimized P2P services see this blog by Resnikoff.

Apple

I'm sure most of you are wondering why there wasn't a post on Apple's announcement that it was lowering/raising/maintaining its pricing structure and formally dropping all DRM from its offerings. Well, the short answer is....does it really matter? Though this organization has traditionally maintained the stance that music, in the current digital climate, is too expensive. And I for one am of the opinion that prices should be dropped DRASTICALLY (lets say $3-5 per album) but the recent Apple announcement does little to adopt these views, mainly because there was no per album announcement and while they did drop prices they also raised them. Raising prices, even of the "hits", is an idiotic idea that will only have the effect of punishing people that legitimately pay for downloads. The only positive that can even be fathomed from this announcement is that now back catalog collections will be cheaper but let's think this through....who are the normal consumers of back catalog?? Older people. What demographic truly cares and will likely be swayed by lowered prices? Younger people. What do younger people buy? The "hits." What prices are getting raised again??? I'm sure you see where this is going. So are the major labels moronic? Yes. Is this a reverse solution? Yes.

Enough of that however because I don't want to appear cynical. Many today are mourning the potential loss of Steve Jobs' expertise at Apple, which you can read about here. Now I have never been much for the rumor mill and feel personal privacy should be respected but it is hard to imagine a more iconic figure in the realm of digital music innovation. He has been a force to be reckoned with. However, I do not subscribe to the opinion that if he leaves Apple for good this will a huge deal. I'm sure he is not the only innovator at Apple and hey, maybe talented innovators might actually start other companies, fostering competition, moving technology forward.

In other news, a friend of mine has just hung her shingle in the Middle Tennessee area. She started a production company and is looking for clients and employing a do-it-yourself mentality. Her promo materials won't attach for some reason so if interested I ask that you email her directly at queenp227@yahoo.com and she can send you the materials. Also, if anyone out there would like to be promoted in the same manner, just send DMCS what you have. My only disclaimer is that we are here to promote companies, not bands or shows. There are many other forums for that. 

So that's that. Happy belated New Year! Wealth, prosperity, and INNOVATION to all. Until next time...

Adam Beasley