Recently I wrote about Amazon.com’s new MP3 download site. I still like it, but I tired of it quickly because the selection of music is lacking. In the space of a month, I downloaded all of the music I wanted, but I wanted more, and they didn’t have it. For example, everyone was talking about the Eagles latest CD, but Amazon did not have it.
Which brings me to MP3 Sparks. This is an AWESOME site. They have an amazing collection of music. Every genre of music including Brazilian music. They have it all. Then all of their music is in MP3 format. This is the most important point. I want to listen to my music on ALL of my musical devices. And lastly, their cost is dirt cheap. I download at 192 kbps, and the cost is about $2 / CD. That’s about 1/4th the price of Amazon, and 1/5th the price of iTunes.
The the huge question is how can they sell the music so cheap and is it legal? The answer is YES, it is legal. This site is based in Russia, and they are exploiting a loophole in their contract with the record labels. Instead of paying a fixed royalty, they are a paying a percentage. Hence they are able to drop their prices. Basifcally, the record labels made a huge mistake, but it is not illegal.
In fact, it is great. At $2/CD, you look at music totally differently. Even if you are not sure whether you might like it, you download it anyhow. At $2/CD, it’s always worth a listen. At dinner conversation, I am always quick to ask people what music they like. Then that night, I download all the music, and have a listen the next day. I love the immediacy of MP3 download. No getting in a car, and driving to the store. You just buy and less then 5 minutes later, you are listening to music.
Of course, the record labels HATE this site. In fact, it used to be called AllofMP3 in 2006. The record labels were unsuccessful in shutting them down. But they applied pressure on the credit card companies, and eventually allofMP3 was unable to accept credit card payments. I personally thought they had shut down, until a friend told me last month of its reincarnation into MP3 Sparks. In fact, my user name, and balance were still in tact! I still had a $28.00 balance, which is right about 14 CD’s.
Although I love this site, their business model is flawed. They really should raise their prices. First, they need more money for marketing. Their awareness is poor, and a little money could pay back in spades. Second, their business model is unsustainable. At some point, the record labels will rightly close the loop hole, and they will need to raise prices. Either way, the artists are not receiving a fair compensation for their efforts. If it were me, I would raise my prices and over pay on my contractual obligations to the record labels.
Check out the site. Their infrastucture is very solid, and I have never had any problems downloading music. Note: I did have some problems using Amazon’s downloader one time. Who knows how long they will be around.
Chen,
I found your blog while doing some research as a result of a purchase dispute with Gateway. — Wow. That is a nice song. Thank you for sharing it with us.
God bless,
Dave