Here at Duck & Cover headquarters (read: my office cubicle), we were stunned to learn that UK prog band Marillion was releasing a new album through the P2P channels as a free download. Stunned and dismayed because we had no idea Marillion was still together, let alone up on the P2P action. Well, the joke's on us. Here's how it works, according to their Wikipedia page:
Upon downloading the files and attempting to play them, a video from the band appears explaining why they had taken this route. Downloaders are then able to opt to puchase the album at a user-defined price or select to receive DRM-free files for free, in exchange for an email address. The band explains that although they do not support piracy, they want to attempt to engage with p2p users and extract value that currently did not exist.
Not to pick at semantics, but I think they mean't "previously did not exist." And while I love arguing about "piracy" and "illegal downloading" (heavy emphasis on the double quotes) I'm just going to back off that last sentence altogether.
I applaud the band's innovative nature (this isn't the first time they've sought revenue in unconventional ways). And if you're like me, and your knowledge of Marillion consists wholly of Neil from The Young Ones exclaiming, "Play some Hawkwind! Or Marillion!", then this will be your big chance to hear them.
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