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Idea #4349: Work with Amazon MP3

Written by jblackhall the 12 Mar 08 at 08:44. Category: Multimedia. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: New
Rationale
Amazon MP3 released a Linux version of their mp3 purchasing client (for non-drm mp3s), but it's non-free software. I would like to see Canonical and Ubuntu work with Amazon to see if they can be persuaded to GPL the client. This way the client could be officially supported by Ubuntu and it would make a great "selling" point for both parties involved.

Currently, the lack of ability to purchase music online is probably hurting Ubuntu. I realize the ogg format would be better, but this is the closest thing to "free" music that's out there. Gaining support from Amazon might help influence ogg support in the future.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/dmusic/help/amd.html?ie=UTF8&forceos=LINUX&ASIN=&isTra ck=
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #4349
Written by jblackhall the 12 Mar 08 at 08:44.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #4349 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

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jblackhall wrote on the 12 Mar 08 at 08:49
If people would like to contact Amazon and encourage them:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/browse-form-dispatch/dispatch.html?nodeId=200143 320

XSP wrote on the 12 Mar 08 at 10:21
It can't be gpl'ed. It would easily open up ways of circumventing their security measures and open it up to competition which they don't want. Not to mention that MP# is a proprietary format that would not coincide with the GPL.

Auzy wrote on the 12 Mar 08 at 12:46
Either way, Amazon MP3 is america only at the moment, so only affects a small percentage of users.

For that reason, I wont vote +1, because I live in AUS, and so it wont affect anyone I know. +0

zoubidoo wrote on the 12 Mar 08 at 13:10
+1 Good idea.

If it affects their security then their system isn't safe in the first place.

If it the download client is distributed with linux, it will be easier to buy music which is good for Amazon.

I email them too.

Eldmannen wrote on the 12 Mar 08 at 14:03
Honestly, who buys music on teh internets? LOL

Better spend time to make something useful.

Eldmannen wrote on the 12 Mar 08 at 14:05
If Amazon don't want to open source their software, then I don't care, its their loss.
I can get my MP3's elsewhere.

staubi wrote on the 12 Mar 08 at 14:45
What's the difference between Amazon and e.g. MicroSoft?

Both are pretty huge company who do their best to be quasi-monopolist! Rather support Your local recordshop or at least projects like jamendo.com or magnatune.com (there You'll also get the desired .ogg-files)

-1 of course

cheesehead (Brainstorm moderator) wrote on the 12 Mar 08 at 15:08
Already Implemented:

Amazon already provides a .deb package - download and install in one click. Try it.

This item can already go into the Medibuntu repository. No license change needed - that's what Medibuntu is for.

Since the package is already supported by Amazon, why should Canonical get involved at all? It's not their package.

jblackhall wrote on the 12 Mar 08 at 17:44
I understand that. I guess my point was that Ubuntu could use a service to purchase music legally online (as a selling point). I'm not talking about sites or services with local and independent artists, but ones with major record labels. I would like to see the music distributed as DRM-free OGG files with any software involved being free software. Unfortunately, this aspect of the idea lies beyond the scope of Ubuntu. There is a major hole in the industry.


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