I have been a fan and subscriber of the music downloading site Emuisc for many years now. Their support of independently produced music and their decision not to cripple their music with restrictions and DRM has been an oasis in the acrimonious struggle for the music business to enter the 21st century (kicking and screaming the whole way.) But now comes the news that the major lebel Sony has come to its senses and will offer large chunks of its considerable back catalog of music though Emusic. Good news, right? Well, not exactly. In order to get the content of a major label, Emusic has had to completely restructure its pricing plans, in some cases, raising prices over %200. While you can't blame Emusic for trying to make money, it seems like a poke in the eye to long term subscribers like myself who are not particularly interested in major label content. Through Emusic I have discovered tremendous music on independent labels like Clean Feed, Palmetto and AUM Fidelity and it disturbs me that Emusic may be turning its back on loyal users to court a major labels who have shown themselves to be at best a fickle friend. When they are not wasting their time suing grandmothers and college students, that is. As Emusic raises the per track price and cuts the allotment of downloads per month, they may come to rue the day that they tossed their friends aside for a quick spin on the dance floor with a notorious tease.Send comments to: Tim
