Music for free...from a dealer?

[realhifi]

A quandary. Got wind of a dealer in Chicago that is basically giving away terabytes of music (ripped CDs, hi Rez downloads, etc) away loaded on a nas drive to customers. Is this a good example of how to do business or is this the wrong way to keep a customer?

Customer in question is happy by the way.

[mrvco]

Is it safe to assume that the appropriate amount of royalty to license and distribute those "terabytes of music" has been paid to the rights holders?

[Solstice380]

Me thinks the dealer may not be. [emoji12] Folks around here are pretty supportive of the musicians getting their due and generally stick to the 30 second (I believe or, it's 10% or some limit) sample for demo purposes.

[PhilR]

Not necessarily ethical, but the dealer is probably doing everything he can to keep his customer base in his brick & mortar store instead of turning to discount internet retailers. Desperate times for some of these guys..

[The Computer Audiophile]

@realhifi - Great thread topic. I believe the issue is worldwide, not just a dealer in Chicago.

 

I look at this a couple ways.

 

1. If the activity is not condoned by the rights holders of the content, then it's wrong. Plain and simple. This may hurt all involved in the industry from the artist to the cleaning staff to sites such as HDtracks and possibly even CA.

 

2. I had additional thoughts to enter here, but after writing in number one and listening to myself justify number two, it doesn't sound right.

[sandyk]

If the record companies get wind of this, he won't have to worry about a struggling business anymore !

He would be likely to see his business lost, and possibly his home too, in a huge claim for damages that may ripple right throughout the whole industry.

In the case of DTS dealers, they actually have a large library of official DTS Music videos and excerpts from DTS encoded movies to use for Demo purposes ONLY.

There are more than 13 different unencrypted DTS Music Video Demo discs on BluRay with close to 23GB of music videos on each BluRay in 1080 video.

Many have more than 25 separate complete music videos on them, with many videos in multi-channel Audio.

 

Perhaps the rest of the Music Industry isn't supporting dealers as well as they deserve to be supported ?

 

http://103.imagebam.com/download/XdOip0Ne4PnSEN4fYOfW6A/28321/283203208/QQ20131022085822.jpg

[realhifi]

I will know more in a week or two as I will be assisting recipient of files in getting his system up and running. This is a touchy subject on many levels as folks share libraries back and forth, etc. but I think it gets a bit more serious when (if) a "keeper of the flame" so to speak, is practicing a loose and cavalier attitude about artistic renumeration for work published and on the open market.

[The Computer Audiophile]

I will know more in a week or two as I will be assisting recipient of files in getting his system up and running. This is a touchy subject on many levels as folks share libraries back and forth, etc. but I think it gets a bit more serious when (if) a "keeper of the flame" so to speak, is practicing a loose and cavalier attitude about artistic renumeration for work published and on the open market.

It rubs me the wrong way when someone is obviously doing this in an effort to help them make money (please a customer = make money).

[Priaptor]

It rubs me the wrong way when someone is obviously doing this in an effort to help them make money (please a customer = make money).

 

Plus they are making money by stealing other people's business/money.

 

Putting into a concrete context it is similar to the "dealer" stealing steak and lobster from the restaurant next door to serve "free" meals to his customers. It amazes me how people rationalize their actions.

[blownsi]

Before we jump to conclusions and convict someone in the court of public opinion let's see if it's possible he's doing something legal. It's certainly possible that the dealer received all of this music though open licensed sources. After all there is a considerable amount of music that is free to download. Bands that are trying to get discovered often hand out CDs for free, there are websites dedicated to creative commons music, many local bands have free downloads on their websites. The question would be does he have a right to redistribute these recordings?

[Solstice380]

realhifi, do let us know what you find! Is it a recorded disc or manufactured? Etc. If one dealer has it, and it's legit, all dealers should have it right?

[Ciamarasound]

A quandary. Got wind of a dealer in Chicago that is basically giving away terabytes of music (ripped CDs, hi Rez downloads, etc) away loaded on a nas drive to customers. Is this a good example of how to do business or is this the wrong way to keep a customer?

Customer in question is happy by the way.

 

This is definitely not OK if the dealer giving away the music is not the rights holder.

[bmoura]

There are offers online that include Free Downloads with audio equipment purchases.

 

For example, the Native DSD Gear store sells DSD DACs, Players and Headphones along with 1 to 8 Free DSD Downloads - depending on the price of the audio equipment.

 

But those downloads are licensed. I have no idea what the story is for the earlier example of TBs of music being given away (mentioned earlier in the thread).

 

https://www.nativedsdgear.com/products

[christopher3393]

A quandary. Got wind of a dealer in Chicago that is basically giving away terabytes of music (ripped CDs, hi Rez downloads, etc) away loaded on a nas drive to customers. Is this a good example of how to do business or is this the wrong way to keep a customer?

Customer in question is happy by the way.

 

If this is what it appears to be, it is a serious violation. I would think that this is painfully obvious. Terabytes: think of the cost purchased retail even if used or on sale! If the dealer does not have the rights and these are a duplication someone's personal lifetime music library, or a compilation of several, this NAS drive may easily be worth far more than the components purchased. Not rushing to judgement, but this is what it appears to be.

[17629v2]

Before we jump to conclusions and convict someone in the court of public opinion let's see if it's possible he's doing something legal. It's certainly possible that the dealer received all of this music though open licensed sources. After all there is a considerable amount of music that is free to download. Bands that are trying to get discovered often hand out CDs for free, there are websites dedicated to creative commons music, many local bands have free downloads on their websites. The question would be does he have a right to redistribute these recordings?

 

I understand what you're saying but there's just no way this can be legit. This is a high end audio store that's doing this. The drive will be loaded with high quality recordings. I've never seen anyone giving away high rez recordings for free.

[realhifi]

Before we jump to conclusions and convict someone in the court of public opinion let's see if it's possible he's doing something legal. It's certainly possible that the dealer received all of this music though open licensed sources. After all there is a considerable amount of music that is free to download. Bands that are trying to get discovered often hand out CDs for free, there are websites dedicated to creative commons music, many local bands have free downloads on their websites. The question would be does he have a right to redistribute these recordings?

 

Agreed. That's why I wanted to dig a bit deeper before making any judgement. At first blush it felt off but I am definitely open to it being one of the options you mentioned.

[Gary.D.Olson]

Plus they are making money by stealing other people's business/money.

 

Putting into a concrete context it is similar to the "dealer" stealing steak and lobster from the restaurant next door to serve "free" meals to his customers. It amazes me how people rationalize their actions.

 

Or a store that sells dinnerware stealing steak & lobster from the restaurant next door to put on every plate sold.

[master]

Nobody seems to get/follow "the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty".

 

This is CA... lets get on with the pitchforks shall we.

[christopher3393]

Nobody seems to get/follow "the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty".

 

This is CA... lets get on with the pitchforks shall we.

 

Should I have added more IFs to my post and highlighted them? I have no idea who this dealer is. The pitchfork is in your mind.

[17629v2]

Nobody seems to get/follow "the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty".

 

This is CA... lets get on with the pitchforks shall we.

 

We get it but it just doesn't apply in this case. First, we're not in a courtroom. Second, we have the right to freely discuss the matter. Innocent until proven guilty doesn't override our right to free speech. Third, we don't know what store is doing this, so we couldn't help or hurt them even if we wanted to.

[tranz]

Theft, plain and simple!

[mansr]

Nobody seems to get/follow "the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty".

 

This is CA... lets get on with the pitchforks shall we.

Burn the witch!

[Priaptor]

Before we jump to conclusions and convict someone in the court of public opinion let's see if it's possible he's doing something legal. It's certainly possible that the dealer received all of this music though open licensed sources. After all there is a considerable amount of music that is free to download. Bands that are trying to get discovered often hand out CDs for free, there are websites dedicated to creative commons music, many local bands have free downloads on their websites. The question would be does he have a right to redistribute these recordings?

 

I don't know maybe I am just a misanthropic cynic but according to the OP it is terabytes of music including high res stuff, etc. it doesn't sound like indie groups hoping to be discovered distributing their wares.

[esldude]

What if the dealer gave away a free 5 year subscription to Tidal? Is there an ethical equivalence of sorts that suddenly looks much less ominous?

 

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Computer Audiophile mobile app

[mrvco]

Not exactly. In your example physical inventory that could be sold by the restaurant no longer exists and cannot be sold to the next customer that walks into the door. Based on what the OP described, we're not talking about physical CDs, LPs, etc.

 

In the OP's scenario, the "loss" is future sales to / purchases by the person(s) receiving the "free" music.

 

Regardless, if true, then this is some seriously bad judgement by the business owner with consequences far worse than closing shop and declaring bankruptcy.

 

 

Plus they are making money by stealing other people's business/money.

 

Putting into a concrete context it is similar to the "dealer" stealing steak and lobster from the restaurant next door to serve "free" meals to his customers. It amazes me how people rationalize their actions.