Amazon launches “Cloud Drive”

[Smokey]

On tuesday, Amazon began offering “Cloud Drive,” which lets users upload 5 gigabytes of music (more than 1,000 songs) to the company’s servers for free. The music can then be listened to from multiple devices — smartphones, computers and pretty much anything with an Internet connection.

Amazon said customers would initially get 5 gigabytes of free storage, enough for about 1,250 songs or 2,000 photographs. They can buy 20 gigabytes for $20 a year. Users can save music files in MP3 as well as the AAC format, which is the standard for Apple's iTunes service.

The "music locker" services are meant to appeal to consumers frustrated by the complexities of storing their favorite songs at work, home and on their smartphones.

However, since Amazon launched this service before securing any licensing deals, a legal battle from music executives might be brewing as music labels were informed of this service only last week.

https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/learnmore

[Ajani]

The real issue is whether Amazon should have informed the music executives... IMO, Amazon had no need to do so... The service merely gives you online storage for files you already own... it's not a music sharing site nor is it an unlimited streaming service... So why the labels would consider embarrassing themselves by making an issue of it, is beyond me...

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

The real issue is whether Amazon should have informed the music executives... IMO, Amazon had no need to do so... The service merely gives you online storage for files you already own... it's not a music sharing site nor is it an unlimited streaming service... So why the labels would consider embarrassing themselves by making an issue of it, is beyond me...

They are spooked plain and simple about any service that involves music. They want a cut of anything that smacks of a new service - to make up for the constant losses they have had over the last five years. The music industry is the only business that committed suicide, and now are trying to kill the dead body.

[bobsticks]

The music industry is the only business that committed suicide, and now are trying to kill the dead body.

LMFAO...