ITunes- buying songs, then album

  • Thread starter Thread starter honestrosewater
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the pricing structure of purchasing albums on iTunes, particularly in relation to songs that users may have already bought individually. Participants explore the implications of this pricing model and share their experiences and opinions on alternative music services.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express uncertainty about how iTunes charges for albums that contain previously purchased songs, suggesting it seems fair not to charge for those songs.
  • Others believe that Apple treats songs and albums as separate entities, implying that users are charged for all songs regardless of prior purchases.
  • A participant mentions that iTunes does not make significant profits, attributing most earnings to the RIAA.
  • Concerns are raised about the legality and business model of services like Napster, with some participants advising against using it due to the rental nature of their service.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of copyright laws and the perception of peer-to-peer software, with some participants noting that it is not illegal in certain countries.
  • One participant shares their experience with free song promotions on iTunes, suggesting that these promotions can offset the cost of purchasing albums.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on how iTunes charges for albums with previously purchased songs, and multiple competing views remain regarding the fairness and structure of music purchasing services.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the profitability of iTunes and the RIAA's earnings are based on participant opinions and may lack supporting evidence. The discussion also touches on the legality of music services in different jurisdictions, which may depend on local laws.

honestrosewater
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I can't find an answer anywhere else. Does anyone know how they charge you when you buy an album that contains songs you've already purchased? I think it would be fair for them to not charge you for those songs, but they don't price albums by the song anyway so I'm not sure how it would work.
 
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You should try and contact apple directly to get the answer.
 
Drats. Okay, thanks.
 
honestrosewater said:
I can't find an answer anywhere else. Does anyone know how they charge you when you buy an album that contains songs you've already purchased? I think it would be fair for them to not charge you for those songs, but they don't price albums by the song anyway so I'm not sure how it would work.

I believe Apple consider this as separate entities, and as such you are charge accordingly. Whether you already have the song or not.

Additionally, Apple doesn't make money in Itunes either, it's the dirtbag RIAA who gets in 95+ percent of the profits. Okay, I'm going offtopic now..
 
The_Professional said:
I believe Apple consider this as separate entities, and as such you are charge accordingly. Whether you already have the song or not.

Additionally, Apple doesn't make money in Itunes either, it's the dirtbag RIAA who gets in 95+ percent of the profits. Okay, I'm going offtopic now..
Do you know of a better option? I don't want to use Napster To Go. Napster Light looks like the same thing as iTunes- is it better?
 
Stay away from Napster like the plague. Once you stop paying the monthly fee you lose all your songs. You basically rent the songs from them.
 
honestrosewater said:
Do you know of a better option? I don't want to use Napster To Go. Napster Light looks like the same thing as iTunes- is it better?

Well, yes but it's not legal :wink: :biggrin:

I can private message you a link if you like. But dduardo is right, stay away from Napster they rip members off. ITunes isn't bad though I'd stick with it if you want to continue paying. And off the top of my head is Emusic: http://www.emusic.com/promo/preview.html which have a decent selection as well.
 
Last edited:
If you thought those videos of the RIAA raiding your house were a joke think again:

http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/0,39023165,39184042,00.htm\

They are using an Anton Piller order to send RIAA officials to do raids without the persons consent:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Piller_order

This cartel really needs to be broken up.
 
In the netherlands its not ilegal to use Peer to peer software...
 
  • #10
dduardo said:
Stay away from Napster like the plague. Once you stop paying the monthly fee you lose all your songs. You basically rent the songs from them.
Right, that's Napster To Go. There's also Napster Light that works like iTunes- buy @ $.99/song.
The_Professional said:
Well, yes but it's not legal
So it's not better. :wink: As long as they stop extending the copyright period (what is it now, 300 years?), I have fewer problems paying than not paying.
But dduardo is right, stay away from Napster they rip members off. ITunes isn't bad though I'd stick with it if you want to continue paying. And off the top of my head is Emusic: http://www.emusic.com/promo/preview.html which have a decent selection as well.
Thanks, I'll check them out. The annoying thing about iTunes is that songs are saved as M4Ps, and the only way to convert them to another file type is by burning them as another file type.
 
  • #11
Anttech said:
In the netherlands its not ilegal to use Peer to peer software...
How does the recording industry make money (or do they)?
 
  • #12
honestrosewater said:
Right, that's Napster To Go. There's also
So it's not better. :wink:

Contrary to what the RIAA is brainwashing people with, the technology itself is not inherently "evil" or "bad".
 
  • #13
I think you get charged the same whether you already own the song or not, because when you download the album, you'll get a second copy of that song (whether you want it or not). It would be the same as the old days of vinyl when you could buy a single or an album, but you didn't get a discount on an album if you already owned a single of one of the songs on it.

On the plus side, you can more than make up for the occasional replicated song with all the free songs they give away. They've had so many promotions lately, I've been downloading 3 and 4 songs a week for free (it hasn't just been the one free-music Tuesday song anymore). I happen to love that and think it's a great way to get people to buy more. I know I've downloaded a few free songs from artists I had never heard of and absolutely loved them, so then went and got at least one or two more songs from them. I rarely download entire albums though, so haven't tried downloading an album for something I already owned songs from.
 

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