SpiralFrog - WMA downloads.

z0mbi3 · 30 Aug 2006 at 12:44

OTish

Gibbs said:
most people know how to anyways but still, no talk of using it outside the copyright owners permission is allowed.

thats my take on the rules

It's common sense basically. But I still think if its the rules that you can't discuss copyright circumvention of music then it needs to have a specific mention.

Ja Rule said:
Providing or asking for information regarding "warez", "gamez" or any other software protected by copyright is forbidden. This includes discussion of 'chipped' or modified games consoles.

Nothing on music there :confused:

Am I right in thinking it's part of the DRM liscense agreement (reinforced by EU copyright law) that the user agrees to when downloading the file that means their obligated not to remove / circumvent the protection?

I'm having a tough time understanding why its ok to circumvent the copy protection on a DVD in order to back it up, but not to remove the DRM protection from a WMA in order to play it on a device you own thats not DRM compliant?

Visage · 30 Aug 2006 at 12:48

z0mbi3 said:
Am I right in thinking it's part of the DRM liscense (reinforced by EU copyright law) agreement the user agrees to when downloading the file that means their obligated not to remove / circumvent the protection.

I'm having a really hard time understanding why its ok to circumvent the copy protection on a DVD in order to back it up, but not to remove the DRM protection from a WMA in order to play it on a device you own thats not DRM compliant?

There's no requirement that laws have to be logical......

z0mbi3 · 30 Aug 2006 at 12:54

Visage said:
There's no requirement that laws have to be logical......

I'm just after some one in the know to give me a concrete answer. Obviously WMA DRM is legally protected in a way that conventional DVD's aren't, but how exactly?

Craig321 · 30 Aug 2006 at 16:52

I sure do hope SpiralFrog don't put rubbish adverts at the beginning/end of each song.

Also, does this DRM thing work by installing software onto your PC when you get the song? As I don't see how it'd track the copying etc. of the file(s) if it isn't running something in the background?

Craig.

Andelusion · 30 Aug 2006 at 16:55

Sounds like a nice idea, it's free

If they have a nice range of music it'll be even better, will definately be taking advantage of this once it's out..

Craig321 · 30 Aug 2006 at 17:22

Andelusion said:
Sounds like a nice idea, it's free

If they have a nice range of music it'll be even better, will definately be taking advantage of this once it's out..

Same here, still wondering about what type of advertising etc. they'll have though >.<

Energize · 30 Aug 2006 at 17:26

Shame it will be probably another 128kbps drm infested website, beats itunes extortionate prices though.

branddaly · 30 Aug 2006 at 17:35

I notice no-ones actually stated the bit-rate, bets on it being 64kbps or less? Would still rather pay for the CD or vinyl.

VeNT · 30 Aug 2006 at 18:50

Berserker said:
Just a little word of caution - it'll be WMA DRM'ed to the max, and as you know we don't discuss breaking copy protection here as it's illegal both under US and EU law. So let's just leave it as 'won't work on iPod' please.

1s, doesn't iTunes automatical re-encode WMA tracks when you add them to your libary? (or is this illigal if so pls delete this post!)

Siliconslave · 30 Aug 2006 at 19:18

Visage said:
You dont like the fact that people who create works should have a say in how those works are used and disseminated?

i imagine that he doesn't like the idea of being told exactly how and when, and for how long he can listen to something hes effectivly payed for - you buy a CD - why shouldn't you have a right to listen to the music on your mp3 player, in your car or on your pc? And most of the time its not the people that produce the music that impose, or even support technology like DRM, or sueing downloaders of music - its the business thats been built off their back, using their tallent to feed its own parasidic desire for more money, that impose it.

</rant>

VeNT said:
1s, doesn't iTunes automatical re-encode WMA tracks when you add them to your libary? (or is this illigal if so pls delete this post!)

i'm pretty damn sure it won't brake its way through any DRM on the track ...

Energize · 30 Aug 2006 at 19:23

VeNT said:
1s, doesn't iTunes automatical re-encode WMA tracks when you add them to your libary? (or is this illigal if so pls delete this post!)

It can't re-encode drm files. This website could hurt apple a lot, not only will itunes be impacted massivley but the sales of their ipods will also be affected because they can't play wma files that this website uses.

Berserker · 30 Aug 2006 at 19:28

z0mbi3 said:
Nothing on music there

Am I right in thinking it's part of the DRM liscense agreement (reinforced by EU copyright law) that the user agrees to when downloading the file that means their obligated not to remove / circumvent the protection?

I'm having a tough time understanding why its ok to circumvent the copy protection on a DVD in order to back it up, but not to remove the DRM protection from a WMA in order to play it on a device you own thats not DRM compliant?

Neither is 'OK' here. It is of course perfectly acceptable to copy your own work and/or work which you have permission to copy (either because the license says you can, or because the owner says you can).

Back on topic, I believe the December date is for the USA and Canada. It may or may not apply to us.

Energize · 30 Aug 2006 at 19:33

z0mbi3 said:
I'm having a tough time understanding why its ok to circumvent the copy protection on a DVD in order to back it up, but not to remove the DRM protection from a WMA in order to play it on a device you own thats not DRM compliant?

It is illegal to back up a copyright dvd video whether it has copy protection or not.

VeNT · 30 Aug 2006 at 19:35

this realy ****** me off, these businesses are using DRM as a market force rather than to protect their clients rights in any way.

Energize · 30 Aug 2006 at 19:37

I don't even think drm can be used to protect clients really, in apples case it's solely designed so customers have to buy an ipod to listen to their tunes on a portable music player.

malfunkshun · 30 Aug 2006 at 19:39

Berserker said:
Back on topic, I believe the December date is for the USA and Canada. It may or may not apply to us.

The VU agreement is for Canada and USA only. On that basis, assuming they cant arrange a more global distribution agreement, it may well fail due to lack of revenue.

Energize · 30 Aug 2006 at 19:53

I suppose a lot of people would use proxies to get around that.

Fillado · 30 Aug 2006 at 20:09

Personally, with Apple's DRM I find it great in that I don't even notice it. I use iTunes and an iPod and I plan to continue to buy iPods when the need arises for a new MP3 Player.

Saying that most people don't like being tied into something so I can understand people hating DRM of all kinds, even though iTunes easily allows you to burn a perfectly standard audio CD from tracks you've purchased

Also 128Kbps AAC = 192Kbps MP3 in terms of quality, so I find the tracks sound fine as well.

Craig321 · 30 Aug 2006 at 20:32

Just read it's only available for EU early 2007

Althought I don't see how they're gonna stop EU people downloading when it's first up?

Zip · 30 Aug 2006 at 20:43

Craig321 said:
Just read it's only available for EU early 2007

Althought I don't see how they're gonna stop EU people downloading when it's first up?

BBC manage to stop people out side of the UK watching there videos on the interweb some how