Our Utopian Ideas

Imagine that you hate DRM. Yes, this is a long shot but try hard and you can do this. Or even worse: imagine that you live in a country (like I do) which is silently declared not worthy (technically just ignored by major labels) to have the ability to purchase even DRMed digital music!

So, in my case you are left with just 2 options:

1. Buy CDs and digitize them;
2. Download pirated music.

The first option is just plain stupid. Why should I buy a physical disc when I only want digital music? The second is, well, illegal, unfair to artists, etc.

And here comes my idea...

No-shipping CD eStore

Basically this store would sell you a CD of your choice, then just destroy it documenting the process on video (with your order details physically present in the destruction). Then you just go to your favorite .torrent site and download the album, or copy legal "back-up" MP3s your friend made... or whatever your favorite piracy method is.

This way:

• you have your music in DRM-less form;
• you have proof that you bought a legal CD (from which you "made" these fair use copies);
• you have proof (the video) that you didn't sell or gave away your original CD;
• possibly you even saved on shipping

Well, I'm not a lawyer, but this sounds but pretty legal (maybe a little "gray") to me from both shop's and buyer's perspective.

So, if you launch a shop based on this concept, please, let me know and count me in as customer. And when you make your first million, don't forget about me, too.

# posted by ailon @ 3:28 AM