General Discussions

**goheadtry** · 08-21-2007, 06:59 PM

What would I need to do to start my own music store online and have it be legal.

**mgraphic** · 08-21-2007, 07:45 PM

I would think a BMG license would cover a wide array of labels: http://www.sonybmg.com

**extra.account** · 09:34 AM

Dude.. are you serious? Are you talking about an MP3 site? I'm sorry to kill your idea but there isn't a hope in hell.

First off, the licsense. I doubt they throw them out left right and centre. They aren't going to give just anyone a licsense, you would need to prove that you're dedicated to it, show some business qualification and a business plan. Simply saying "yeah i'll give it a shot" isn't going to cut a deal with Sony.

Secondly, you would be competing with iTunes and others with million dollar budgets. You need to be able to buy the records in order to sell them, have you the cash to invest in that? Why would people buy from you when then can go to iTunes? Cheaper? Unlikely. More secure? Wider selection?

You would also need to either a. hire an expensive programmer to code you a secure website. or b. invest loads of time upgrading your own knowledge to business level. Hackers would see your site as a prime target, do you think you can deal with that? Make a attractive enough website that people will buy from?

Quote:

What would I need to do to start my own music store online and have it be legal.

Ok. Get a high level liscense from Sony, prove your serious a show them evidence of cash your investing and time. Go to apple HQ and execute all iTunes staff, should take care of some of the competition. Make a very secure attractive site, spend $$$$'s advertising it and your might just break even within 2 years.

**ForrestCroce** · 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extra.account

Go to apple HQ and execute all iTunes staff, should take care of some of the competition.

Ahem. I think you meant "get them deported or charged with terrorism."

There's a site that arranges for people to trade CDs they're tired of; you might want to consider something more along those lines.

**goheadtry** · 08-23-2007, 03:11 PM

How can they do that isn't that like a monopoly and, aren't monopolies illegal because they are unfair.

**CSS4Life** · 08-23-2007, 03:16 PM

Sorry mate but that's the way of the world. The world is unfair and a lot of people who use iTunes probably won't stop any time soon. It's very unfair for the small businessman and if you want any chance, you need to really stick out from the crowd - you simply can't beat iTunes etc. on price or anything.

On a side note, I despise iTunes 9even though I like Mac) because of the DRM. I don't use an iPod and the only way to remove the DRM is burning to CD which loses quality. I can't wait until more and more sites and download services offer DRM free music

gBox is a new site doing this but unfortunately for me, it's not on a Mac

**Cheshire_cat** · 08-23-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goheadtry

How can they do that isn't that like a monopoly and, aren't monopolies illegal because they are unfair.

It’s not a monopoly, there are several companies that have licenses to sell music, but it would be very expensive to start out as a business who did that. Just like oil companies are not a monopoly, but no one I know has the means to up and start one.

**ForrestCroce** · 08-23-2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goheadtry

How can they do that isn't that like a monopoly and, aren't monopolies illegal because they are unfair.

De facto, it's sort of a monopoly. A lot of labels have exclusive contracts with particular artists ... it's just Sony BMG has these contracts will millions of artists. Electra has their own, smaller portfolio. You can go after unsigned artists. If you have any friends with real musical talent, you might want to talk to them.

Now technically it's not a monopoly because there are a number of labels, and while you can't get a pop star you can still get a garage band. You're right that it's unfair to small businesses.

But don't be too discouraged; you should write to the labels who own the artists, er, songs, that you want to sell, and see how things go. If you feel your rights are being infringed after that, you can take the matter up in court, but who knows? Maybe we're all being too pessimistic.

**extra.account** · 08-23-2007, 05:55 PM

Yeah but taking it to court is a bit extreme for an idea that isn't really going to get off the ground. Plus, big corperate lawyers vs the small guy = pwnage.