Crabbyappleton used our news submit to tell us that a new trend is
emerging. Record labels are offering 'free' music on the
Internet but in order to get to these songs, people first have to buy the
record. We already reported that the band Metallica was offering
exclusive songs online but more and more artistst are following this example:
 Technology providers, which
track the response rates to the initiatives, say that as many as one-third
of consumers who have purchased these act's latest albums have accessed
their respective Web sites. Using various technologies, the acts' Web
sites verify that the visitor has purchased the disc before granting them
access to the bonus content. Such "CD-key" technology is the latest in
labels' efforts to offer downloadable content while protecting CD sales.
However, artist representatives say the primary goal is
maintaining good relations with fans, who are ever-thirsty for extra
material. A CD-key also gives artists a more label-friendly way to give
away non-album cuts to their most enthusiastic fans--even months after a
CD has gone on sale. "A lot of bands are taking a serious look at this,"
says Ed Bender, director of multimedia at SpeakEasy, an online content
provider that recently launched metallicavault.com.
"This is a way that we can refresh content," adds Bob
Pfeifer of entertainment consulting company Segnana, which worked on
metallicavault.com. "We can add stuff all the time. You can't do that to a
disc." While all the CD-key sites aim to offer fresh content, each CD
takes a different approach in terms of security and content depth.
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I personally think that the idea of offering exclusive material
online for people who buy an album is a good idea. What do you think about this?
Please react below! The full article including some more examples can be read here.
Source: DVD-Recordable.org
