Hot Topic launches DRM-free downloads - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 31st Oct 2008, 13:37

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/10...ee-downloads/1

US wannabe-goth clothing retailer Hot Topic has launched a 'lifestyle portal' with a DRM-free music download section featuring backing from the 'big four' publishers.

MrMonroe · 31st Oct 2008, 13:43

What? How? How does the Apple Store fail to provide DRM free music and then ****ing Hot Topic manages to get the big four to agree to this?

badders · 31st Oct 2008, 13:44

I'm still sticking with my vinyl.

Redbeaver · 31st Oct 2008, 13:45

coz steve job is evil.

Nictgsf · 31st Oct 2008, 13:52

the reason I-tunes does not have DRM free music is because the major labels want to create more competition in the market and steer people away from I-tunes. It's a good tactic but probably wont be enough as no one else has the hardware support I-tunes has.

ChaosDefinesOrder · 31st Oct 2008, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nictgsf

no one else has the hardware support I-tunes has.

wtf? what are you talking about? The iTunes hardware support is iPod or iPhone. Every other (DRM free) download store supports everything and anything that plays MP3 files.

dylAndroid · 31st Oct 2008, 15:54

This business move makes sense for Hot Topic. They are fundamentally about selling a lifestyle, and adding an online component allows them to build their cultural strength with their market. DRM-free fits with their counter culture image, whereas DRM would not.

Also, on the profitability of this action: the cost of operating should not be too significant, so turning some profit should be easily managed. The real strength is in the broader strategy -- strengthening their connection with their customers, and getting more people to check them out. This should translate to more business in their brick & mortar stores.

BioSniper · 31st Oct 2008, 17:34

I'm surprised nobody else picked up on Datz.com as its been widely publicised in the media.

Firehed · 31st Oct 2008, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaosDefinesOrder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nictgsf

no one else has the hardware support I-tunes has.

wtf? what are you talking about? The iTunes hardware support is iPod or iPhone. Every other (DRM free) download store supports everything and anything that plays MP3 files.

And iPods are 85% of the market, so that's pretty much irrelevant.

legoman666 · 1st Nov 2008, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firehed

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaosDefinesOrder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nictgsf

no one else has the hardware support I-tunes has.

wtf? what are you talking about? The iTunes hardware support is iPod or iPhone. Every other (DRM free) download store supports everything and anything that plays MP3 files.

And iPods are 85% of the market, so that's pretty much irrelevant.

Until iPods can play .flacs without 3rd party firmware, I'm not buying one.

Adnoctum · 2nd Nov 2008, 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firehed

And iPods are 85% of the market

And 93% of all internet statistics are pulled out of the anuses of know-it-alls.

I vote for this as the BitTech Wild-A**-Statistical-Guess-Of-The-Week.

s3v3n · 2nd Nov 2008, 21:09

ipod's market doesn't include cellphones, pdas, incar mp3, dvd players, and gaming consoles. i've probably missed couple other things too.

31st Oct 2008, 13:37	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	Hot Topic launches DRM-free downloads http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/10...ee-downloads/1 US wannabe-goth clothing retailer Hot Topic has launched a 'lifestyle portal' with a DRM-free music download section featuring backing from the 'big four' publishers. __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

31st Oct 2008, 13:45	#4
Redbeaver Hypermodder Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ontario, CANADA Posts: 718	coz steve job is evil. __________________ Monita DFI NF4 Expert - X2 3800+ 2.925Ghz - 2x1Gb OCZ Gold XTC DDR500 - 2x eVGA 7900GT SLI - 2x80Gb Seagate 7200.9 [RAID-0 4k] - Enermax Liberty 500 - Vista Ultimate x86 - Silverstone Kublai [Modded] Keisha DFI BloodIron P35 - Q6600 3.6Ghz - 4x1Gb OCZ Gold XTC2 DDR2-800 - eVGA 8800GTS 640MB - 2x80Gb Seagate 7200.9 [RAID-0 4k] - OCZ GameXstream 700 - Vista Ultimate x86 - Silverstone TJ-06 [Modded] www.pecelayam.com

31st Oct 2008, 17:34	#8
BioSniper I Mod, Therefore I Own Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Somewhere in the south Posts: 3,454	I'm surprised nobody else picked up on Datz.com as its been widely publicised in the media. __________________ My Flickr :: Bit-tech Flickr Wii: 1792 1527 2926 7945 :: Xbox Live: BioSnipr :: PSN: Biosnipr

31st Oct 2008, 13:43	#2
MrMonroe Multimodder Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 195	What? How? How does the Apple Store fail to provide DRM free music and then ***ing Hot Topic* manages to get the big four to agree to this?

31st Oct 2008, 13:52	#5
Nictgsf What's a Dremel? Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 5	the reason I-tunes does not have DRM free music is because the major labels want to create more competition in the market and steer people away from I-tunes. It's a good tactic but probably wont be enough as no one else has the hardware support I-tunes has.

31st Oct 2008, 15:54	#7
dylAndroid is human? Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 72	This business move makes sense for Hot Topic. They are fundamentally about selling a lifestyle, and adding an online component allows them to build their cultural strength with their market. DRM-free fits with their counter culture image, whereas DRM would not. Also, on the profitability of this action: the cost of operating should not be too significant, so turning some profit should be easily managed. The real strength is in the broader strategy -- strengthening their connection with their customers, and getting more people to check them out. This should translate to more business in their brick & mortar stores.

2nd Nov 2008, 21:09	#12
s3v3n MMO Cold Turkey -fail Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 39	ipod's market doesn't include cellphones, pdas, incar mp3, dvd players, and gaming consoles. i've probably missed couple other things too.