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Download free and legal music via P2P

26 April 2007 13:06 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz | 48 comments

Thanks to a three-year old company named Intent MediaWorks, P2P users will be able to download free and legal music via their regular P2P applications such as Limewire or Shareaza. What is the catch? When you start the download, a pop-up will appear asking the downloader to view an ad (either text or video) and in return they weill obtain the music legally and for free.

MediaWorks has done extensive testing on how to embed pop-ups in music and video files unobtrusively and the company says that surveys show that 60 percent of users are willing to endure the ads.

"Consumers don't want to rip people off," says Les Ottolenghi, president and co-founder of MediaWorks. "They just want to get music as easily as possible."

For the past few months, MediaWorks has been seeding P2P networks at a very fast pace. In February alone, its media content was downloaded 1.7 million times and the company expects that number to increase to 10 million by December.

For every 1000 views, it costs the advertiser $5.80 and usually $30 or more for videos, creating a healthy revenue stream for all involved. MediaWorks shares the money with artists and the record labels behind the artists which can choose to promote thier own artists in the ads.

A few of MediaWorks's customers include the Nettwerk Music Group, the group that publishes Avril Lavigne and Barenaked Ladies as well as SlamJamz Records. The company expects to sign one of the Big Four in the upcoming months.

So far users of Frostwire, Shareaza, Limewire and others have downloaded many tracks feauturing ads by Audi and Coca-Cola with many more advertisers in line to sign up.

This a very interesting concept and one that hopefully will become more mainstream when a Big Four Label joins the mix.

Source:
CNN

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no1here (Newbie) 27 April 2007 13:52
Quote: Originally posted by AlmostOz: i'm wondering if you have to view the add each time the song plays? [quote=no1here]Can someone who has actually used this service report back to this forum? Does the adware remain in the 'free' songs? Any DRM protection?..There has to be an additional catch.. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure this is the case. Quote: MediaWorks has done extensive testing on how to embed pop-ups in music and video files unobtrusively... I agree with no1here, I feel there must be a bigger catch behind this whole thing. I mean, first, the studios who were willing to kill for DRM before, suddenly start to back DRM-free stuff, and now this... within one day... Fishy for me. But maybe it's just my cautious nature.[/quote]I would not be surprized if the powers that be...RIAA, etc...has invested into this just as it has into the 1.7 utorrent (make certain you use the 1.6 utorrent .do not upgrade, as the original creator has sold out..Beware. "They" are using new methods to try and catch us off guard.. [ + quote]
no1here (Newbie) 27 April 2007 14:05
Remember brothers, nothing is free...nothing..For example, I married the most wonderful woman in the world...but I still have to pay (albeit indirectly) for the pussy!!..One more thing...DO NOT USE ANY P2P PROG..WITHOUT PEERGUARDIAN. Also, if you are still using Norton or Mcaffee...get rid of it and switch to Zone Alarm Suite..It is the best AV prog with the best firewall protector available.. Persdonally, I will take my chances elsewhere building my music collections..These are the kind that make me paranoid..Later, Iceman. [ + quote]
hughjars (Inactive) 27 April 2007 16:10
It's a start but the devil is always in the detail. What, exactly, are you downloading? What quality is the sound (which is something that has been laughably low in the past) and what comes with it. If it's cr@p then the ignorant may go for it in the short term but it'll never work longer term. Thankfully there are just too many people too wary of the lying & twisting BS that seems to go with so much these days. [ + quote]
exiled1 (Inactive) 27 April 2007 16:36
Definitely not much choice yet either way...I have received two warning letters now from comcast. I gave up any "shady" downloading practices since... I ended switching to a subscription service. Yeah , it costs a little bit, but it will be much cheaper than getting sued... They have fast downloads, and now hold on---virus free and no fake files!! I did like that part--Here is a link if you want to check it out while they sort out the details on this new freeware deal: edited [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 28 April 2007 14:49
bb05 (Newbie) 27 April 2007 18:19
I wonder how long it will take for them to "lose" the rights to distribute those files that have DRM on them and go after those who downloaded those files with lawsuits.. ill stick to usenet and alike.. [ + quote]
WierdName (Senior Member) 27 April 2007 18:44
You see, this way they can log your I.P. address, comp name, trace route... [ + quote]
PeaInAPod (AfterDawn Addict) 27 April 2007 19:32
Originally posted by WierdName: You see, this way they can log your I.P. address, comp name, trace route... Exactly! Lets say that you download one of these "free" music files. Well you go along and click on the link for the add, now they have all the information on you that they need. And who knows possibly they tied a unique id number to the song you have so if you reupload it they will know you are sharing it illegally? Who knows with these people and the shady things there doing. [ + quote]
spydah (Junior Member) 28 April 2007 4:01
Where they say free is a always a string. i dont trust it i never use these sites. Its always some spyware, malware, trojans, viruses and so forth attached to this files. Plus the content is closely monitored and controlled to see what kinds of people are willing to get from them. So I will definitely pass on this so called free crap. Also i agree its been to many things they have done that goes in our favors for them to just make things that easy. I think its a scam and anybody that falls for it will be hung out there. [ + quote]
gamelover (Junior Member) 28 April 2007 5:27
Saying that about spyware, adware, Malware etc. If you read the last section of the FAQ's, in the link I gave above, this is what it says: "What about adware? spyware? viruses? computer performance/processing speed? privacy? INTENT has never and will never employ ANY adware, spyware or viruses that could harm the performance or speed of a consumer's computer. In fact, INTENT has joined the United States Federal Trade Commission and the FBI by drafting legislation that calls for the complete ban of all adware and spyware and the severe punishment of virus publishers. INTENT also has a very strict privacy policy. Please always protect your computers systems with anti-virus and anti-spyware software." That is a bold statement AGAINST any malicious software, but does that include corporate rootkits and the like? [ + quote]
WierdName (Senior Member) 28 April 2007 11:28
Originally posted by gamelover: INTENT has never and will never employ ANY adware, spyware or viruses that could harm the performance or speed of a consumer's computer. In fact, INTENT has joined the United States Federal Trade Commission and the FBI by drafting legislation that calls for the complete ban of all adware and spyware and the severe punishment of virus publishers. INTENT also has a very strict privacy policy. Well duh, they are going to say that. What else are they going to do? Say "INTENT plans to infect your computer with spyware, adware, and the like so use anti-spyware and anti-virus software or else. Dont say we didnt warn you"? Or how about "INTENT has intent to log all your accessible personal information so we can give it to the RIAA, the government and some guy who lives in his mothers basement"? Also, is that an official statement? Because if it isnt, you wont be able to use it as defense in court. [ + quote]
RuPtUrE (Junior Member) 28 April 2007 12:25
Originally posted by windsong: I think I will stick with emule as well as my 14.95 per month premium Usenet account. :) I will stick with my limewire plus my giganews account!! Even though i get all my stuff from giganews!! [ + quote]
gamelover (Junior Member) 28 April 2007 14:22
Despite their claims, are they making it illegal for themselves and their Corporate friends to make and distribute spyware, malware, or collect and distribute personal data, which is a breach of the Data Protection Act? I haven't read their Privacy Statement/policy yet but it is there on the website so I'll be looking it over carefully to see what other claims they are making. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 28 April 2007 14:23
WierdName (Senior Member) 28 April 2007 14:26
Well appearently I should clarify that statement wasnt directed toward you but just a general statement. If any of it was inferred as hostility, that was just not intended. That post was more of a rant on my side. EDIT- considering you retracted your statement towards me before I added my post, maybe I dont. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 28 April 2007 14:32
gamelover (Junior Member) 28 April 2007 14:35
Nahh sorry man I kinda read your statement again and thought maybe I was wrong. I did think you directed it at me upon first reading it. No harm, no foul! [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 28 April 2007 14:35
WierdName (Senior Member) 28 April 2007 14:36
Originally posted by gamelover: Nahh sorry man I kinda read your statement again and thought maybe I was wrong. I did think you directed it at me upon first reading it. No harm, no foul! No prob. [ + quote]
3085 (Member) 28 April 2007 15:16
Originally posted by exiled1: Definitely not much choice yet either way...I have received two warning letters now from comcast. im kinda confused but you got warning letters rom comcast for downloading free music?.. like off of limewire or something? [ + quote]
exiled1 (Inactive) 28 April 2007 15:40
No, the first was a ps2 game, the second time was a movie--but it was enough to make me stop all my activities--I don't think the RIAA gives you any warning, they just make you pay... Both times they just stated they received complaints from the copyright owner that someone at my ip address was downloading their files illegally. They were the exact same form letters, so they must do it pretty often. Comcast threatened to cut off my service and that kind of crap. I haven't received anything else from the actual copyright owner , so I am not sure what is going to happen with that... If you use Limewire, chances are the RIAA already has your ip address--just a matter of them getting around to you--they can get your info. from the proxy you use, so I don't know if there is any real good way to download music from those types of p2p's without a good chance of getting sued eventually... [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 28 April 2007 22:18
3085 (Member) 28 April 2007 15:44
Originally posted by exiled1: No, the first was a ps2 game, the second time was a movie--but it was enough to make me stop all my activities--I don't think the RIAA gives you any warning, they just make you pay... Both times they just stated they received complaints from the copywrite owner that someone at my ip address was downloading their files illegally. They were the exact same form letters, so they must do it pretty often. Comcast threatened to cut off my service and that kind of crap. I haven't received anything else from the actual copywrite owner , so I am not sure what is going to happen with that... If you use Limewire, chances are the RIAA already has your ip address--just a matter of them getting around to you--they can get your info. from the proxy you use, so I don't know if there is any real good way to download music from those types of p2p's without a good chance of getting sued eventually... I havent downloaded a game or movie off of limewire in over a year just music now and Ive never got anything from comcast.. and will they only sue you if you have a lot of songs downloaded or will they sue you anyways? [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 28 April 2007 15:46
exiled1 (Inactive) 28 April 2007 15:55
I wasn't using limewire for those items--they were torrents. And I though I was using a proxy at the time as well... As far as who the RIAA decides to sue, I do not know...They used to stick to the people who were doing huge amounts of uploading, but I don't really know anymore. I think they compile large lists of addresses from a certain isp at a time and force them to give up your info. Then they will send you out a letter stating to pay a certain amount in fines--like $3000 or they will take you to court and it will end up costing you a lot more--a lot of this is just off the top of my head, but you can find info. if you search it. There are organizations trying to fight back, but it doesn't seem to be working... I think they use the money they get from the previous batch of people to pay their lawyers to go after the next batch--so we, the people, are actually funding this operation... [ + quote]
webe123 (Inactive) 28 April 2007 23:48
Originally posted by exiled1: There are organizations trying to fight back, but it doesn't seem to be working... I think they use the money they get from the previous batch of people to pay their lawyers to go after the next batch--so we, the people, are actually funding this operation... Does not seem to be working? Well they dropped the case against Patti Santangelo (not her kids) and there is a nother woman who is countersuing them. It seems you have your facts wrong. The people who have stood UP to the RIAA, seem to fare better than those who let themselves get run over by them. [ + quote]
SamNz (Newbie) 29 April 2007 0:54
HMM OK so its ad ware mixed with music that you can already get for free WITHOUT DRM what is the motivation for people to try do this more legal downloading and the question still stands why use limewire and the such when there is a thing called TORRENT (free and always will be) this all seems very pointless to me but thats jsut what I think [ + quote]
WierdName (Senior Member) 29 April 2007 1:15
Originally posted by SamNz: HMM OK so its ad ware mixed with music that you can already get for free WITHOUT DRM what is the motivation for people to try do this more legal downloading and the question still stands why use limewire and the such when there is a thing called TORRENT (free and always will be) this all seems very pointless to me but thats jsut what I think Its because it give people a sense of safety because its "legal". Now whether or not it actually is legal is another thing. [ + quote]
exiled1 (Inactive) 29 April 2007 9:33
Quote: Originally posted by exiled1: There are organizations trying to fight back, but it doesn't seem to be working... I think they use the money they get from the previous batch of people to pay their lawyers to go after the next batch--so we, the people, are actually funding this operation... Does not seem to be working? Well they dropped the case against Patti Santangelo (not her kids) and there is a nother woman who is countersuing them. It seems you have your facts wrong. The people who have stood UP to the RIAA, seem to fare better than those who let themselves get run over by them. Okay, .001% of the people have succeeded in their fight against the RIAA--is that better? -I hope more people will stand up to them , and I hope this will instigate change. Obviously this system is not working, and I believe there has to be some middle ground in this mess somewhere. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 29 April 2007 9:48
webe123 (Inactive) 30 April 2007 7:52
Originally posted by exiled1: Okay, .001% of the people have succeeded in their fight against the RIAA--is that better? -I hope more people will stand up to them , and I hope this will instigate change. Obviously this system is not working, and I believe there has to be some middle ground in this mess somewhere. You still seem to have your facts wrong. Only .001% of the RIAA cases has been taken to an actual courtroom! So until I see the RIAA actually winning in court against all of these people, I have my doubts they will make a dent in stopping piracy. It seems that the people who actually stand up to the RIAA and are willing to fight, they are the ones that the RIAA quietly tries to drop their cases. What the RIAA is looking for is people to just roll over and play dead and accept whatever punishment the RIAA are willing to hand out, if more and more people refuse to do this, then things may go against the RIAA and their legal machine. [ + quote]
martybe (Junior Member) 7 July 2007 6:09
hi every1 does any1 no were i can download free music, i have clearwire broadbrand and i am findin it hard to find the free music sites can any1 help me please marty b [ + quote]
PeaInAPod (AfterDawn Addict) 7 July 2007 8:10
http://www.mp3lizard.com/ "Some people have no damn sense." - Nephilim, March 27 2007 @ 18:08 My favorite #: 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0 [ + quote]