RUMOR MILL
Wednesday, May 3, 2000
SONY JAPAN’S BITMUSIC SITE TO OFFER SDMI-COMPLIANT DOWNLOADS
Japanese Public Can Now Enjoy Secure, Expensive Versions Of "La Vida Loca," "My Heart Will Go On"
Starting May 10, Sony Music Entertainment's Bitmusic will become the first Japanese Web site to distribute music by non-Japanese artists using a copyright-protection system that complies with the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI).
In 1999, Sony became the first major Japanese label to launch a download service, offering tracks from local artists only.
Twenty-two tracks by foreign acts—including Celine Dion, Lauryn Hill, Savage Garden, Mariah Carey and Ricky Martin—will be available on the site for the equivalent of $3.30 U.S. (350 Yen) apiece.
At this point, it would be improper, as well as unethical, to remind any Japanese music fans of services like Napster. That would just be plain wrong of us.
