All of MP3 gets Whacked

Yesterday VISA announced that they'll no longer allow payments to allofmp3.com, the questionably legal music download store run out of Russia. In their defense, VISA probably did it out of a desire to stay out of the piracy debate by ensuring they can't have any records to be subpoened or face a lawsuit themselves, rather than any desire to support "the man" and his money-grubbing antiquated business models.

Allofmp3 responded by announcing plans to drastically change the way they offer their music. Rather than offering raw mp3 downloads at a price, the company will now offer free downloads, but the songs can only be played on a computer running their special ad-supported music player, and can only be used on one computer at a time. Those of us using allofmp3 to AVOID restrictive DRM think this is a very bad idea, and won't be using the service. The vast majority of the rest of their users are using the service to buy songs for their iPods - not their home computers - and also won't be using their service. So, in effect, allofmp3.com is nearly dead.

I couldn't find when the paid service will actually stop, but it's probably soon, so if you have a positive balance, spend it fast.

Update: This article says that AllofMp3.com will offer two services - the current system, where you pay as you go, and the add supported computer-only player. This means we might still be able to get great, drm-free music -- if we can only find a way to pay for it.

In other news, things here are going quite well. My job is fun and busy, the church is moving along steadily, my dog is happy, and my wife is gorgeous, so things are good. And I think today is Mair's birthday, so happy birthday, and congratulations on making it through another year of grad school, you old hag.