As more and more of our media moves into digital-only formats, we have to wonder our rights are to these virtual goods. Granted, a quick perusal through most End-User License Agreements will make it pretty clear you’re essentially borrowing those songs, games, and movies from the distributor. A ruling by the federal U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has sided with the record industry on the issue, potentially putting a halt to iTunes resales.
As reported by AllThingsD, Capitol Records (owned by Universal Music Group) recently filed suit against start-up marketplace ReDigi. The site allows people to resell their iTunes music collection, but according to U.S. District Court Judge Richard Sullivan, the start-up will likely have to stand down.
Frankly, ReDigi does make some valid arguments. Namely, there’s nothing illegal about buying a CD from the record store, listening to it, then reselling the used album for cash. The start-up also attempted to argue the “first sale” doctrine protected its activities, as it does Netflix. But Judge Sullivan didn’t agree, referring back to a lack of action on the part of Congress to alter the copyright rules in regards to virtual goods.
“The Court cannot of its own accord condone the wholesale application of the first sale defense to the digital sphere,” reads Sullivan’s decision. “Particularly when Congress itself has declined to take that step.”
Recently, it was discovered Apple had actually filed for a patent which appears to deal with the company’s ability to resell iTunes goods.
Follow this article’s author, Matt Clark, on Twitter.
Image Source: ReDigi
[This is an advertorial. Maclife gets a portion of each unit sold.]
A well organized iTunes is a thing of absolute beauty. Album information fully filled out, artist names completely in order, no duplicates listed–it’s enough to bring a single tear to your eye. Unfortunately, none of our iTunes libraries look anything like this. They’re disorganized, searchable only by us because we understand the cryptology that is behind our methods. Cut down on your attempts to decipher of your code with TuneUp. It’s the ultimate iTunes add-on, and it’s on sale now.
TuneUp is extremely powerful iTunes management tool that will clean up, organize, and complete missing fields in your library. Through some sort of technological magic, TuneUp will correct mislabeled or incomplete song data, scour the web for proper cover art, removes duplicate songs, and pulls in extra artist information that you’d otherwise have to enter by hand. It turns your iTunes into the media library you always planned to make it–with no effort on your part.
TuneUp’s usual ticket price is . While it’s well-worth it at full cost, why pay it if you don’t have to? We’ve slashed the price by 40%, making it a more than reasonable . An excellent price for an awesome app. Get it today.
[This is an advertorial. Maclife gets a portion of each unit sold.]
A well organized iTunes is a thing of absolute beauty. Album information fully filled out, artist names completely in order, no duplicates listed–it’s enough to bring a single tear to your eye. Unfortunately, none of our iTunes libraries look anything like this. They’re disorganized, searchable only by us because we understand the cryptology that is behind our methods. Cut down on your attempts to decipher of your code with TuneUp. It’s the ultimate iTunes add-on, and it’s on sale now.
TuneUp is extremely powerful iTunes management tool that will clean up, organize, and complete missing fields in your library. Through some sort of technological magic, TuneUp will correct mislabeled or incomplete song data, scour the web for proper cover art, removes duplicate songs, and pulls in extra artist information that you’d otherwise have to enter by hand. It turns your iTunes into the media library you always planned to make it–with no effort on your part.
TuneUp’s usual ticket price is . While it’s well-worth it at full cost, why pay it if you don’t have to? We’ve slashed the price by 40%, making it a more than reasonable . An excellent price for an awesome app. Get it today.
[This is an advertorial. Maclife gets a portion of each unit sold.]
A well organized iTunes is a thing of absolute beauty. Album information fully filled out, artist names completely in order, no duplicates listed–it’s enough to bring a single tear to your eye. Unfortunately, none of our iTunes libraries look anything like this. They’re disorganized, searchable only by us because we understand the cryptology that is behind our methods. Cut down on your attempts to decipher of your code with TuneUp. It’s the ultimate iTunes add-on, and it’s on sale now.
TuneUp is extremely powerful iTunes management tool that will clean up, organize, and complete missing fields in your library. Through some sort of technological magic, TuneUp will correct mislabeled or incomplete song data, scour the web for proper cover art, removes duplicate songs, and pulls in extra artist information that you’d otherwise have to enter by hand. It turns your iTunes into the media library you always planned to make it–with no effort on your part.
TuneUp’s usual ticket price is . While it’s well-worth it at full cost, why pay it if you don’t have to? We’ve slashed the price by 40%, making it a more than reasonable . An excellent price for an awesome app. Get it today.
It’s hard to believe it’s been more than a decade since rock legend David Bowie released a new album, but it’s here, and Apple is streaming it absolutely free via iTunes for a limited time.
Apple’s iTunes Music Twitter account is promoting its latest free album available for streaming, and this one is a doozy: The latest from rock icon David Bowie, entitled The Next Day.
“Art-rock icon David Bowie returns with his first new album in 10 years,” the iTunes page reads. “A mix of mid-tempo tracks (“Where Are We Now?” centers around languid piano shuffling) and fast-beat jams (“Dancing Out in Space” combines dance floor rhythms with ethereal guitar layers), Bowie puts his eclectic tendencies on display.
“You can listen to The Next Day for free for a limited time on your computer or iPad,” iTunes concludes, noting that the album is also available for preorder in both regular (.99) and Deluxe (.99) editions available on March 12.
If you’re not the sort to spoil the surprise for yourself, music lovers can preorder now and receive the track “Where Are We Now?” instantly; Apple will also notify buyers when their full album is ready to download on March 12.
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
