opg
04-16-2005, 09:23 AM
Will this ever exist?
Streaming mp3s utilize the .m3u file, but this can just be opened in notepad to obtain the direct link to the mp3 file. Can this be encoded or the folder that the mp3 resides in be protected without the user entering a password?
It is my understanding that songs played in an embedded Flash player on a site can be downloaded similarly, by finding the .swf file in the source code, downloading it, and using one of many shareware programs to convert it to WAV and/or mp3.
And of course, any streaming sound can be recorded by one of many programs, like Total Recorder. Of course, they wouldn't get the ID3 tags and other info that comes along with the mp3. That could be added later, if the user knew the correct info to enter. It seems that mp3s can almost be "protected" with this ID3 tag info. If yours doesn't have it, it is a ripped copy.
But that's all besides the point. If I wanted to sell mp3s on a site via PayPal (without having to deal with CDBaby, or iTunes- who won't accept mp3s from anyone that isn't an approved music distributor), what's a good way?
If someone liked music from a new artist from another country, do you really think they would buy the actual CD with shipping costs and wait a few weeks? In this case, it would make a lot of sense that 99-cent downloads are a good idea. But all that first buyer would have to do is dump it on Limewire...
Streaming mp3s utilize the .m3u file, but this can just be opened in notepad to obtain the direct link to the mp3 file. Can this be encoded or the folder that the mp3 resides in be protected without the user entering a password?
It is my understanding that songs played in an embedded Flash player on a site can be downloaded similarly, by finding the .swf file in the source code, downloading it, and using one of many shareware programs to convert it to WAV and/or mp3.
And of course, any streaming sound can be recorded by one of many programs, like Total Recorder. Of course, they wouldn't get the ID3 tags and other info that comes along with the mp3. That could be added later, if the user knew the correct info to enter. It seems that mp3s can almost be "protected" with this ID3 tag info. If yours doesn't have it, it is a ripped copy.
But that's all besides the point. If I wanted to sell mp3s on a site via PayPal (without having to deal with CDBaby, or iTunes- who won't accept mp3s from anyone that isn't an approved music distributor), what's a good way?
If someone liked music from a new artist from another country, do you really think they would buy the actual CD with shipping costs and wait a few weeks? In this case, it would make a lot of sense that 99-cent downloads are a good idea. But all that first buyer would have to do is dump it on Limewire...