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[billiumbean]

iTunes has recently converted their entire catalog into iTunes Plus format, which means that all of the music they sell is now free of the share-proof encryption that iTunes was originally notorious for.  This, however, gives the reins of the song prices to the record companies, who have been desperate for a price increase since file-sharing became widespread.

I'd also like to point out this quote;

We might lose some people that are dropping out because their reservation price is below $1.29, but we make it up when we get 30 cents more from the people that stay. That is constantly the trade-off that you make.

I'm sure you guys already knew that they cared more about money than fans, but I like that it's so much more blatant now.

ALSO;

If I could make a request, I'm doing my senior paper (a documentary, actually) on the DRM laws and why I'm against them.  I know a lot of you guys are pretty active musicians, so if you could give me your definitive stance, whether for or against, on file-sharing or the notoriety of The Pirate Bay trial or anything similar that I may be able to quote in my video, I'd love to return the favor and use your music in the video to give you guys a little local exposure, though it's fine if you don't want me to.

[DarkAvenger]

Well I'm not a musician, but I can point you to a respected (on this forum at least) musician's views on file sharing:

Will Sheff on Filesharing

Personally I don't see many benefits to DRM other than making sure iTunes and record companies get the money they "need". I like filesharing for the most part but at times it becomes this overbloated mess that we can't deal with anymore. Music libraries are becoming filled with music just because it is there. The appreciation for what we listen to isn't there when it's easily available. This is why, if I can afford to, I go out and buy the albums of artists I download. Not only is it more satisfying to finally find that lost album you've been searching for (even if it may be easily available on the net), but it also allows you to take pleasure in the music thanks to that satisfaction.

I know everything I've said is pretty much known by everyone, but isn't that what opinions are for? Showing the views of others you have listened to? (this is entirely humorous, I think)

[Beren]

The only Anita Elberse Google comes up with is an Assc. Professor at Harvard. What does she have to do with apple?

Ah. Found the CNET article. Yeah, she's just say what she thinks the companies are thinking.  She's not in the "we" in quotes.

[Melodic]

It should be noted that while iTunes Plus is DRM-free, every song is encoded with your email address as metadata. That's still a little creepy to me.

[billiumbean]

The only Anita Elberse Google comes up with is an Assc. Professor at Harvard. What does she have to do with apple?

Ah. Found the CNET article. Yeah, she's just say what she thinks the companies are thinking.  She's not in the "we" in quotes.

I think they consulted her for advice or something since she mentions talking to them about it. 

"Most people in the industry that I've talked to say, 'yes, it's going to make up for that," Elberse said. "We might lose some people that are dropping out because their reservation price is below $1.29, but we make it up when we get 30 cents more from the people that stay. That is constantly the trade-off that you make."

[Cadeonehalf]

A solution that was proposed to me regarding Game Piracy might work here-
The focus of the Music Industry shouldn't be to prevent pirates from pirating their music, but instead should be to convert those pirates into customers. The person in question (site is http://shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale) recently put Valve's STEAM as a good example, since it offers online content that wouldn't be easily accessible to your average pirate.

I don't know how you can make that work especially with Music, but perhaps a system that offers additional rewards for legally purchasing the music would be better than draconian DRM methods that can be broken in a week.

[ThePianoMan]

If I could make a request, I'm doing my senior paper (a documentary, actually) on the DRM laws and why I'm against them.  I know a lot of you guys are pretty active musicians, so if you could give me your definitive stance, whether for or against, on file-sharing or the notoriety of The Pirate Bay trial or anything similar that I may be able to quote in my video, I'd love to return the favor and use your music in the video to give you guys a little local exposure, though it's fine if you don't want me to.

This is really only tangentially related, but this video on YouTube about the Amen break is an excellent lesson on how a rich public domain is essential for the arts. Might be a nice starting point, something to look at.