Anonymous User

IN CRAVE

We7.com: An ad with every free track

Roll up, roll up. Gather round everyone as DRM-free, no-cost, completely legal music downloads are here. "What's the catch?" we hear you cry. Why does there have to be a catch, you cynics? Does the idea of completely free music that's also completely free to be pirated seem outlandish, nay unfathomable?

Yes, it does, doesn't it? The catch to UK-based We7.com's music download service is that every single DRM-free track comes embedded with an audible pre-roll advertisement. That's right: every track. At the moment all the ads are default We7 ads, which are painfully akin to the very worst local FM radio station's ident jingle. With added "Don't steal!" messages.

We7 claims that after listening to ads for four weeks, users can download an ad-free version of the song. We're sceptical that users will be willing to wait that long, remember they've had the track for four weeks and then download another version. Downloaders are also given the option to pay for a normal, ad-free version of the song in the first place. There's no mention of prices as yet.

The four main record labels (of which none currently support this new service) want paying for their music, and they want paying well. Even EMI -- the first of the Big Four to release music without any DRM -- basically said, "If you don't want DRM, pay more for you music." These aren't the words of a label about to give out DRM-free tunes for the 30-60p advertisers will pay for each download of an ad-fitted song.

This service absolutely, categorically will not succeed. You can quote us on that. It's true the best way to combat piracy is to provide a realistic and affordable alternative, and free is certainly affordable. But music downloaders are not going to switch to using a service that costs the same as using BitTorrent or Limewire, but comes with abominable disclaimers or advertisements. It's also an issue that many, many downloaders don't consider what they're doing is illegal, because they're not physically stealing a solid product like a CD, they're just using a more efficient method of borrowing a mate's CD and ripping it. With that in mind, why would they switch to this service?

No music fan in their right mind would want their listening pleasure constantly interrupted by 10-second adverts. In a brief and unscientific straw poll, no-one in our offices said they'd suffer ads on every song just to get it for free.

In fairness, We7 could be used as a taster service. A user could sample the song from the site and then buy it from somewhere else without advertisements or disclaimers. But really, where's the business model within that? Two people in our office said they'd like something like this to sample music before buying it, though there are already hundreds of services like this, such as Last.fm or online CD stores such as Amazon, which plays clips of songs as pre-sale tasters (on the more high-profile releases).

We7 isn't in the business of offering a music-sampling service though. It aims to completely overhaul the online music world. Some interesting quotes from their site include: "[We7 is] set to create a music-download revolution", "We7 -- the online community that gives everyone what they want" and "[We7 will] help abolish piracy by making it no longer worthwhile to visit illegal and unsafe music and video Web sites". These claims are terribly misguided.

Feel free to try the service for yourself, but don't waste your time in thinking this is going to do anything positive to the industry, let alone "provide a direct route for bands and fans to form even closer relationships" -- that's what happens at the live music shows fans pay to go to after downloading music, legally or illegally. What We7 will actually do is fall flat on its face after a few disinterested blog posts like this and a few months of visits from curious passers-by. Maybe this is a service that will work in poorer countries or parts of the world where iTunes doesn't dominate the market, in which case we wish it all the best. -Nate Lanxon

Update: A previous version of this article stated that ads are automatically removed from tracks after four or five plays. The service instead offers users the option of downloading an ad-free version of the song after four weeks. We also neglected to mention the option to buy ad-free tracks. CNET.co.uk regrets the error.

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AnonymousTue 1 May, 2007 12:48pm

Adelph.us (www.adelph.us) , a socially conscious social network based in London, today announced that all musical artist that sell music on www.adelph.us will receive 100% of the revenue from the sell of their tracks. The only requirements is that Artist choose at least one Darmik listed charity to give a portion of their revenue.

Adelph.us is a socially conscious social network that levels the playing field for independent artist and labels by giving them the tools they need to easily sell and distribute their music. Adelph.us also gives artist and members the choice of giving a portion of their revenue to non profits and charities.
Before the launch of Adelph.us there was no choice for musical artist and fans that wanted to be part of a social network that was aligned with many of the issues that they care about. With Adelph.us artist and fans have a choice to generate content and interest for a social network that gives the artist 100% of their revenue and that also gives a portion its revenue to charities and non profits. This allows the artist to retain commercial and creative control of their music.
Any artist or independent label who already uses Myspace and other similar networking sites to promote their work and reach out to their fan base, can now sell direct to their fans by easily adding the Darmik code to their existing blog or webspace.

The Adelph.us social network uses Darmik’s distribution and ecommerce platform to allow artist to easily embed their tracks into their Adelph.us profile pages.

William Dyson, Founder and CEO of Darmik and Adelph.us, commented: “ Adelph.us and Darmik are all about enabling members and trying to make a difference. While the other social networks use artist and members content to fill their pockets, Adelph.us and Darmik donate revenue to charity and give artist and fans the ability to do the same. While the other social networks create widgets that only work on their sites; Darmik and Adelph.us give artist and fans the ability to sell in any open social network. By only allowing their widgets to work within their social networks these companies do a huge disservice to the artist and the fans by limiting access and distribution.
Darmik and Adelph.us were founded by William Dyson to enable online social networks to thrive as communities and create the revenue necessary to independently sustain themselves. Through partnerships with other socially responsible firms such as Lightapp and its own internal development, Darmik is creating features that allow members of networks to interact efficiently and allow selected merchants to market relevant goods and services to the networks. Ever mindful of social concerns, Darmik has created a partnership program through which proceeds of part of each sale is contributed to a participating charity.

johnny_go_lightlyTue 1 May, 2007 6:30pm

Thanks very much for bringing this to my attention - I'm poor, but I don't like downloading music illegally, so this is perfect for me. Here's hoping they add some decent music - I'd kill for free Juno Reactor and Ennio Morricone.

Mr. SlagTue 1 May, 2007 7:30pm

I disagree. To your points:
1- The site states that after 4 weeks the listener has the choice to have the song 'ad free'. They say nothing about the ad 'disappearing'. I cannot vouch for this actually happening or how; however, I have no reason to doubt their claims. Nate, what has made you so distrusting of this new company and their model? It seems petty to misquote them then proclaim it a lie.

2- You're right, many music downloaders currently using LimeWire or BitTorrent will not switch to this service. However, not all music downloaders are thieves, and those who aren't are looking for a way to get the music we want at a fair price... LEGALLY. I doubt there is a for-profit company out there that will win all customers from LimeWire and BitTorrent. That would be like trying to sell a TV to a crack fiend. They're not looking to participate in legitimate commerce, they operate on a lower level in the marketplace, where they take what they want and justify the consequences.

3- You neglected to mention that the service will provide ad-free downloads at a fair price. At this point, getting music DRM-free is getting difficult enough, so some listeners will surely be attracted purely for the right to own what they pay for.

The bottom line is, there is a wide-open market just waiting for someone to come in and do it right. This may not be the solution, but it's a step in the right direction, and to categorically doom the enterprise for failure is short sighted, not to mention self-important. Ask your unscientific pollsters this question- "Would you be willing to download a song for free with no DRM, maybe check it out a few times to satisfy the need to hear the latest music, then wait 4 weeks for the ad-free version and own it forever?"

Nate LanxonWed 2 May, 2007 9:27am

Thank you for your comment. It's true we mis-quoted the site, though it was an merely a regretable mistake. It wasn't our intention to confuse our readers. The article has been edited accordingly. Thanks again.

AnonymousWed 2 May, 2007 12:44pm

I think you completely missed the main reason that the service will fail. You get a DRM free MP3 with an advert stuck on the front. 15 seconds with even the most basic free audio editing software and you have an ad free MP3 without even having to listen to the ad. Advertisers will cotton on to this very quickly and take their business elsewhere.

QuetzacoatlWed 2 May, 2007 2:04pm

I really wish We7 the best, at least it is one more form of getting to hear the music you want, for free, without DRM. I for my part am using it already, and am waiting for a broader range of music on We7, and think it's a good idea... :)

my 2 cents

John S JamesWed 2 May, 2007 8:20pm

I'm designing an alternative -- selling prepaid downloads in bulk to buyers/donors/sponsors, who will get a unique URL charged up with any number of downloads they want to buy, even thousands of them (www.smart-accounts.org, rights free). They can give out the URL to anyone, who also can share it. Then end users will just click to download free and hassle-free, no DRM, advertising, payment processing, or registration required -- while the artists get paid by the act of free downloading itself. Since anyone can recharge the URL, it can circulate indefinitely, supporting the artist as long as people are interested in the work.

Steve JayThu 3 May, 2007 12:14am

Oh gee, advertising won't work, hey. Well, nobody will read this article, either, because there's an ad above it and an ad beside it. Get real FFS, people put up with advertising if they get value from the product it supports, otherwise free-to-air TV would never have worked.

Marc CohenSat 5 May, 2007 10:16pm

Advertising supported music will work because the basic value proposition of free content in exchange for exposure to ads is proven. The We7 model, however, will not work. No one will put up with an ad before every track, especially an ad that is static. There are other models that will work. Check out the Ad-Supported Music Central blog:
http://ad-supported-music.blogspot.com/

AnneWed 11 July, 2007 9:21pm

And how is an advert before each any track more inconvenient than what happens when we record a TV show? Start the tape a few minutes early so we don't miss the beginning, let it run a few minutes afterwards so we don't miss the end, pick up a few adverts along the way......

Ten seconds of my time to ignore an ad is better than paying a quid for a download. I have to work hard for that pound! And most people, given a chance, are fundamentally honest (aren't they?) and really don't want to steal the intellectual property of others.

Besides, having downloaded some songs from We7, I've been to Play.com and bought complete albums about which I wouldn't have otherwise heard. Win-win, I'd say. Full marks to Mr Gabriel for his vision! It's "In Your Eyes", Peter.

Devon DrakeWed 8 August, 2007 12:11pm

I totally agree with Marc cohen which he neglected to say he own Lyrix which I personally believe will work. We7.com is the most idiotic and retarded concept to hit the web since the amway Quixstar concept.
Piracy my friends is here to stay, its never going away, so we can all go home now. However, as a musician, in a relatively mid size following, I 100% support the concept of ad supported music. I started giving my music away for free with advertisements long time ago, you can view http://ww.drakewire.com/freealbum to see what Im talking about. Its the whole album, 28 songs, DRM free MP3's. No catch, just watch a brief ad and download the Mp3. My fans are pretty devout and they know I do this for them, so the chances of anyone saying hey I think Ill go to Limewire or Bittorrent to download a drakewire track is equally as retarded as We7.com. Why? Its free anyway, it also doesnt take long for people to realize that if an artist gives his music away for free a sense of respect goes along with it. Why download some random mp3 when you can download it directly from the artist, whom you already know and trust. Since its free you can block out the advertisement anyway...

Free music can only be supported by advertisement, but not all advertisement can support free music. But you can also quote me on the fact that We7.com will be an utter and most ridiculous failure ever... I hope it does, because the only one I see getting rich here is We7.com

best wishes,
Devon drake
Drakewire

AnonymousTue 18 March, 2008 10:01pm

Who doesn't want free music? For the sake of a piece of advertising which can easily be skipped, removed or will be removed after X period of time, the websites concept is really quite good.

Lets say I get 1000 songs today...in 4 weeks (when the ads are removed) they are as good/legal as the songs off of itunes and I still have the $1000/£1000 I would have wasted on some DRM restricted use crap which I am unable to share...you do the Math.

AnonymousSun 23 March, 2008 1:29am

but even if you download 1000 songs you can't get rid of the ads on all of them only 20 a month.
you can onlt take 20 ads of a month this number is to go up in the furture when more people are downloading of this site

AnonymousMon 28 April, 2008 12:13pm

Ennio Morricone is now available on We7. Only for online streaming though.

AnonymousMon 28 April, 2008 12:20pm

"Here's hoping they add some decent music - I'd kill for free Juno Reactor and Ennio Morricone."

Ennio Morricone and a lot more new albums from the Sony-BMG collection is now available on We7.

AnonymousSun 8 June, 2008 10:36am

We7 are stupid. Basically, all they have done is given away millions of songs for free. Anyone can download the MP3s for "stream only" songs using a firefox plug in, then use an audio editor to snip out the ads. They can't be making money from the ads anyway; there all for we7!

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