Josh Ong
Some songs on iTunes now offer 90-second previews for users of the U.S. iTunes Music Store. For instance, "Dark Fantasy" by Kanye West currently offers a 90-second preview in the U.S. iTunes Store, but only 30 seconds in the U.K. version.
It is currently unclear whether the extended song samples will eventually apply to all regions and songs.
In November, a letter sent to music label representatives from "The iTunes Store Team" notified rightsholders that Apple was "preparing to increase the length of music previews," but gave no indication of the timeline. The letter stated that representatives would confirm acceptance simply by continuing to offer content on the iTunes Store.
According to the letter, the changes will only affect songs longer than 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Sample cliips for songs shorter than 2 minutes and 30 seconds will stay at 30 seconds.
Apple was originally rumored to announce extended song previews at its Sept. 1 media event, but the deal was reportedly blocked at the last minute by the National Music Publishers Association. Several publishers apparently believed that longer previews should require an additional license for "performance rights."
"We believe that a license is necessary, and conversations must occur before song samples are extended," NMPA general counsel Jay Rosenthal told CNET.
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12 Comments
Finally! Been waiting for this since it was announced and am all for it. I think it will sell a few more songs due to its added assurance of verified music. (plus I'll enjoy listening to choruses of interesting songs I'm not necessarily going to buy).
I like it very very much! Thanks Steve!
...publishers....
A longer preview is great and should have been implemented long ago.
Of course now I shop where I can get my music in just the same high quality, but less expensive and in MP3 format for MP3 cd's which I have at various locations instead of dragging a vulnerable iPod everywhere and possibly forgetting it.
Hard to beat a cheap mixed MP3 cd with a 120 songs on it, unless your jogging or something.
Some songs on iTunes now offer 90-second previews for users of the U.S. iTunes Music Store. For instance, "Dark Fantasy" by Kanye West currently offers a 90-second preview in the U.S. iTunes Store
Isn't 90 seconds of Kanye West considered a form of torture?
...(plus I'll enjoy listening to choruses of interesting songs I'm not necessarily going to buy).
It makes you wonder why the publishers were against this to begin with. Oh, wait...
A longer preview is great and should have been implemented long ago.
Of course now I shop where I can get my music in just the same high quality, but less expensive and in MP3 format for MP3 cd's which I have at various locations instead of dragging a vulnerable iPod everywhere and possibly forgetting it.
Hard to beat a cheap mixed MP3 cd with a 120 songs on it, unless your jogging or something.
The iPod Shuffles do have their shortcomings, but this is one example where they shine. We have two Shuffles for just that purpose.
The trick to not losing them seems to be keeping the earbuds attached. (Good advice for the new Nano as well.)