So let me get this straight. When Sony BMG starts to release digital music files minus DRM (digital rights management) later this month, to buy a song, I still have to go to a store, purchase a gift card and then come back home and download it?
Basically, that's it. In a complete bout of insanity, Sony BMG, the last of the four majors to agree to remove DRM, is treating the consumer like it is 1984.The way the new Sony BMG DRM-free sales will work is that the customer must purchase a Platinum MusicPass at retail. So in other words, if you decide you don't want the physical disc, you still have to travel to a physical store to purchase a physical card and then travel back to your physical home to your physical computer before you can get what other label is offering without you having to leave the room.
This is complete madness.
Sony BMG was the last in line to offer the DRM-free download and in doing so, has become the last piece in the puzzle to break the iTunes monopoly. Platinum MusicPass is just a marketing spin. It creates the perception that they are doing something when they aren't.
The spin even goes further. Only 37 titles will be included when Platinum MusicPass launches on January 15 and only 5 retailers will be involved.
Sony BMG has totally misread the market here. The digital download is all about convenience and portability. It's pretty simply guys, just think about the customer first.
