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Rhapsody launches its DRM-free MP3 store

By Tim Conneally, BetaNews

June 30, 2008, 12:31 PM

Real Networks' Rhapsody has opened an MP3 store that works independently of the subscription-based service, bringing Rhapsody ever closer in design (but not execution) to the venerable iTunes.

United States customers today can access the new Rhapsody.com digital download store which offers DRM-free music for 99¢ per track, or $9.99 an album. Like Rhapsody's subscription service, users can preview up to 25 full-length tracks per month, and then all subsequent previews are pared down to 30 seconds, the same as iTunes.

Real has prominently announced that all download shop tracks are compatible with any standard MP3 player, including Apple's iPod -- a device Rhapsody's subscription tracks do not support. Unfortunately, the Download Manager for Rhapsody's digital store is not compatible with Mac or Linux, users on those operating systems must download their music as ZIP files.

In BetaNews tests this morning, we randomly chose two single tracks and one album for purchase from the new MP3 shop. Running Windows Vista Business, we opted to get the Rhapsody MP3 Download Manager to receive the files. The download manager failed to install three times, so we opted for "No, Thanks- Zip my Files." This method also failed twice.

Logging onto the same account on a Mac (OS X 10.4.11) to try and get the files was also fruitless. Our user account was billed $22.00 and yet the files were still in the shopping cart. The only way to receive them would be to charge the credit card a second time. Attempting to access the help center was met with a 404, so a customer service ticket was opened with Real at 10am PDT. A reply was pending as of press time.

CAVEAT EMPTOR: In the user agreement during sign-up, Real clearly states that, "Each purchase can only be downloaded once. Once the download is complete, the transaction is complete. We suggest making a backup copy of your files and burning them to CD." Despite the fact that we were charged and no MP3s were actually downloaded, we were warned.

Add a Comment (11 Comments)

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By foxfyre

posted Jun 30, 2008 - 7:11 PM

It must be Apple's fault.

;-)

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Jun 30, 2008 - 1:31 PM

"CAVEAT EMPTOR: In the user agreement during sign-up, Real clearly states that, "Each purchase can only be downloaded once. Once the download is complete, the transaction is complete. We suggest making a backup copy of your files and burning them to CD." Despite the fact that we were charged and no MP3s were actually downloaded, we were warned."

No you weren't.

You didn't actually 'complete' the download.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jun 30, 2008 - 1:59 PM

Exactly.

If that was the response they got from their ticket, they've got reason to be miffed (not to mention the possibility of a lawsuit if it turns out to be something that happens frequently to many users).

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Jun 30, 2008 - 4:56 PM

Well let me claim here that I was the one that persuaded BetaNews to take them to court and therefore any damages should be paid to me.

^_^

Score: 0

By dracodos

edited Jun 30, 2008 - 1:13 PM

Sounds to me like they ned to do a better thorough test of their system, to make sure it will WORK and give users a chance to be compensated if a download fails. Much like Cell Phone companies can give X amount of credits for incomplete game/music downloads. Of course no support for MAC or linux systems, except for the ZIP download is a smack in the face to those users.

Score: 0

By oafed

posted Jun 30, 2008 - 1:27 PM

I don't see why these places can't just add the song to your "My Music" section when you buy it and let you download it as many times as you need.

Good job getting $.99 DRM free music though. I'll definitely buy music here over any DRM'd music stores.

Score: 0

By Micko

edited Jul 1, 2008 - 11:53 AM

Why would you buy your MP3s from Rhapsody when Amazon's MP3 store offers MP3s for less than .99 a pop and has a download manager that *actually works* on Mac and PC?

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

edited Jun 30, 2008 - 1:33 PM

Record companies don't like it.

All these companies would love to implement that solution (I have a friend working high up for one such company), but the lables want much more money if the file is to be downloaded multiple times.
They equate it to buying multiple CDs.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jun 30, 2008 - 1:55 PM

The main issue is access.

If they leave the files there for the user to download, all that user needs to do is share his account.

Free music for everyone...

Obviously the labels don't want that...but neither do the retailers. They'd *all* rather sell it than give it away. Don't let your "friend" fool ya.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

edited Jun 30, 2008 - 5:06 PM

That is also a major factor, yes.

However, if you actually think about it, it is far riskier pirating your music from someone else's account when the distributer can (and will) log your IP when downloading, than it is to download once and then torrent it to millions of people semi-anonymously.

Though of course then both torrenting and account sharing would happen, but at least then RIAA would have some stupid people to sue and they might shut up for a bit.

Score: 0

By preinterpost

posted Jul 1, 2008 - 9:02 AM

Sadly some of us prob use up to 5 diff IPs a day, several behind corp firewalls. Heck, most consumers seem to be switching to laptops. Law suits based on IP wouldn't hold up.

In any case such a model just does not make sense to me as a user. Providing a one-off download link for $1 seems bad value. I am not sure how Amazon works in comparison.

And lastly let's not forget this is Real. To make up for the crime their media player is they'd have to do a lot better to turn me around and even consider them.

Score: 0

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