">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Digital music services flunk college test
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Search
Search:
Digital music services flunk college test
Reuters - Saturday, February 21
By Antony Bruno
ADVERTISEMENT
DENVER - College campuses were once a prime spawning ground for new digital music services.
Those days appear to be over.
Closing the book on the role of campuses as digital music laboratories is the recent demise of Ruckus -- an ad-supported music download service that was available for free to students at 200 universities through direct content deals, as well as to anyone else with a .edu e-mail account. The closing came after Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment dissolved their Total Music joint venture, which acquired Ruckus last year.
Ruckus joins a list of several other once-promising services, including Napster and Cdigix, that suffered an early death after attempting to offer college students a low-cost, legal alternative to peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. The abrupt closing of Ruckus in early February has left university officials scratching their heads over where to turn next.
Compounding the problem is the U.S. Higher Education Opportunity Act, enacted in August. It requires universities to offer students who use their networks alternatives to popular P2P offerings, along with other measures like implementing technology to block unauthorized distribution of copyrighted works.
But the law doesn't state which measures would be considered appropriate as an "alternative." The U.S. Department of Education is currently defining what that means, but the process could take months.
RUCKUS ROSTER
According to the Campus Computing Project , which studies the use of information technology at U.S. universities, most schools offering students a licensed music service were using Ruckus. Former Ruckus officials say students from more than 1,000 universities were registered in its system.
What's left? The leading remaining alternative is the Choruss initiative, led by industry consultant Jim Griffin and backed by Warner Music Group. Choruss aims to collect a monthly per-student fee from participating universities in return for allowing students to use any P2P network. Universities would have to implement some kind of technology to track which songs are downloaded and how often, so that a nonprofit entity could then distribute the fees to rights holders, much as collecting societies like ASCAP do.
But Choruss isn't yet a fully baked deal. Details like pricing have yet to be resolved, and unconfirmed reports late last year said that only three of the major labels are onboard, with Universal as the sole holdout.
The biggest barrier is cost. The current per-student monthly figure being kicked around is somewhere less than $5, which the university would either have to pay or pass along to students in the form of an activity fee or other line item. But as the fate of past college-focused services has shown, universities and students are reluctant to pony up.
"The challenge with any model like that is finding someone to pay for it," a former Ruckus executive said. "Universities are also challenged by the current economy, and even historically it's been tough to get them to pay for any kind of online service. I don't know anything that's changed that will make it easier for Choruss."
DOING THE MATH
If the licensing fees needed for Choruss to monetize P2P traffic total less than what universities are already paying to block it, that may change. According to a CCP study, private U.S. universities spend an average of more than $100,000 annually on software designed to block P2P activity on their networks and another $150,000 on hardware and staff salaries for these efforts. Public universities spend less -- about $25,000 for software and $64,000 for hardware and other fees.
For larger colleges like Ohio State University, which has more than 53,000 students, even a monthly $1 Choruss fee per student would quickly exceed these figures if they were required to collect from all students without an opt-in feature. And that's not counting the cost of the technology needed to monitor which songs were downloaded.
Critics of college-focused music plans like CCP director Kenneth Green say it makes more sense to use existing commercial solutions like Hulu or iTunes than to develop customized solutions.
Whatever the answer, the music industry has to come up with something to offer universities soon. Barely 25 percent of public four-year colleges offer any alternatives to P2P services, according to Green's research.
With Ruckus gone and Choruss not yet available, that leaves a huge void to fill.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Technology
US protesters slam weak apology for monkey cartoonAFP - Saturday, February 21
US-TECH SummaryReuters - Saturday, February 21
Digital music services flunk college testReuters - Saturday, February 21
Apple's Woz waltzes back into the spotlightReuters - Saturday, February 21
Google shoots down 'Atlantis' picturesAFP - Saturday, February 21
Most Popular – Technology
Viewed
Huge gamma-ray blast spotted in space
Malaria: Spoonful of sugar could save thousands of children
Seductive chemicals hidden in sloppy kisses
UBS plunges 10 pct amid widening US tax fraud probe
Trial offers hope for curing peanut allergies
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Saturday, 21 February 2009 Tamil Tiger aircraft attack Sri Lanka capital
| International
|
U.S. secures Afghan supply route
| International
|
Mexico tests remains for U.S. anti-kidnap expert
| International
|
Rights may take second place on Clinton China visit
| International
|
Latvian ruling coalition falls, PM resigns
| International
|
Mugabe turns 85 with challenge in party, unity government
| International
|
Court finds California video game law unconstitutional
| Technology
|
U.S. lawmaker to push repeal of online gambling ban
| Technology
|
Cable providers eye offering TV shows online: report
| Technology
|
Ill, disabled Aussie kids get first online network
| Technology
|
Recession Keeps Less Planes Flying, Making U.S. Neighborhoods Quieter
School Board In Florida Sets Homework Guidelines
China Internet users asked to probe custody death
| Technology
|
Update: Obama Thanks Mayors For Their Work; Says Stimulus Must Be Spent With Accountability
Amnesty International Asks Clinton To Retract Statement, Declare Human Rights Crucial To Chinese Relations
Democratic Congressmen Decry Hostilities During 'Unsanctioned' Trip To Gaza
Business Opportunities For Women, Minorities May Open If Chicago Wins 2016 Olympic Hosting Bid
Bill Clinton Gives Obama A Grade For First Month In Office
Cost Of Solar Installation Continues Drop
Picture of bruised Rihanna sparks police probe
| Entertainment
|
Leonard Cohen plays first U.S. concert in 15 years
| Entertainment
|
Actors and studios end contract talks, hit new snag
| Entertainment
|
Three foreign troops killed in Afghanistan
China and U.S. can lead world to recovery: Clinton
| International
|
20 nations offer to boost Afghan contributions: US
"Lethal Weapon" Screenwriter Sued By Ex-Girlfriend Of Assault
Netanyahu urges moderates to join broad government
Israel says rocket from Lebanon wounds woman
| International
|
'King of Pop' eyes concert comeback in London: reports
U.S. secures Afghan supply route
| International
|
Netanyahu asked to form Israel's next government
Alleged fraudster's Antigua bank closes
Rwandan army to start Congo withdrawal
| International
|
Paintings of "Polish Kafka" revealed in Israel
US gov't moves to dispel bank nationalization rumors
Iran understates uranium stocks to IAEA: diplomats
| International
|
Diplomats claim Iran understates uranium stocks to IAEA
Swiss court blocks bank data sharing with US: report
Australian author freed after Thai royal pardon
| International
|
Stroke deaths soar in poorer nations, drop in rich: study
Survey shows most Japanese want PM to quit
| International
|
Eurovision Song Contest beloved and belittled
EU auto sector drives into protectionism row
U.S. set to refurbish planes for Taiwan
| International
|
US annual inflation wiped out, deflation looms
Cancan dancers, Lord of Misrule open Rio Carnival
| International
|
Bank fears drag down world markets
Clinton in China pushes environment, finance
Clinton calls for deeper US-China partnership
Guantanamo in line with Geneva rules: official
US, allies 'can't delay' Iran worries: White House
Schwarzenegger Signs $130 Billion California Budget
San Francisco Highway Crash Kills 6
US protesters slam weak apology for monkey cartoon
Venezuela bans travel for Stanford bank execs
U.S. Soldier Convicted For Executing Iraqi Prisoners
US-TECH Summary
Group Counters Stimulus Plan With TV Ad Featuring Jesus
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 581
Digital music services flunk college test
U.S. Concerned As Iran Expands Military Ties With Russia
Apple's Woz waltzes back into the spotlight
| Technology
|
US received Hamas letter for Obama: State Dept
Apple's Woz waltzes back into the spotlight
Feb 20 Highlights Of Low Points In U.S. Economy
Digital music services flunk college test
| Technology
|
US to prod Syrian envoy on terrorism, nukes
Appeals Court: Sale, Rental Of Violent Video Games To Minors Unconstitutional
Google shoots down 'Atlantis' pictures
White House says world can't delay on Iran
Small Business Administration Warns Of Scam Letter
California's video game law ruled unconstitutional
Price Of Consumer Goods Rose In January
U.S. lawmaker to push repeal of online gambling ban
Wall Street Rallies Late, But Still Closes Lower
EU's eastern nations fear western protectionism
Cable providers eye offering TV shows online: report
Britain asked to wait on Qatada deportation
China Internet users asked to probe custody death
Nigeria to clamp down on e-waste imports
Sri Lanka rebels call airstrike succes
Japan's Ishikawa misses PGA cut but gains respect at Riviera
Malaysian politician accused of giving away beef
Oscar nods shine spotlight on short films
| Entertainment
|
Obama broadens US targets in Pakistan: report
Slumdog kids to walk Oscar red carpet
| Entertainment
|
Clinton in China pushes environment, finance
No sign of recession at pre-Oscar gift suites
| Entertainment
|
"Slumdog" kids to walk Oscar red carpet
Clinton believes China and U.S. can lead world to recovery
Iran Praises Military Ties With Russia
Pirate abduction in Malacca Strait after long lull
Hollywood actors, producers talks end without deal
Project Runway show features phantom finalists
| Entertainment
|
Sri Lanka calls Tiger raid desperate bid to delay defeat
Piracy sinking Lebanon cinema, music, cable industry
Rebel planes raid Sri Lanka capital
Japan's Sharp to make LCD panels in China: report
Australian police probe Japanese whaling claims
Mutual funds investing in China
Prudential to take 9.9% stake in China Life
Conan says bye to New York with some old friends
Galicia's abandoned villages get new lives
China's tax revenue growth slows in 2008: govt
'Slumdog Millionaire,' Ledger lead Oscars betting
Rihanna won't discuss Chris Brown, but thanks fans
Vienna, one of the spy capitals of the world
San Francisco man faces fallout from `Wife Swap'
Attorney: Peter Falk's care is adequate
No sign of recession at pre-Oscar gift suites
'Slumdog' kids get ready for a trip to the Oscars
Indonesia president hopeful unrepentant on rights abuse
"Slumdog" kids to walk Oscar red carpet
Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison renamed and reopens
Violence flares on Israel-Lebanon border
Iraqi Kurdish politician wants rights protected
With new name and fresh paint, Abu Ghraib reopens
2 rockets fired from Lebanon towards Israel
Rocket from Lebanon wounds three Israelis: medics
Sudan says 28 killed in clashes with Darfur rebels
US, China to join forces on economy, climate change
Clinton in China to push climate, finance
US Senator Kerry meets Assad in Syria
Syria, US explore improving ties as Kerry visits
Obama urges control of mushrooming deficits
Iran offered to end Iraq attacks for nuke deal: BBC
Report: Edward Kennedy May Be Too Ill To Serve In Senate; Wife May Succeed Him
Louisiana Governor Rejects Some Stimulus Funds
Analysis: Even military split over Iraq pullout
Arrest Near In Chandra Levy Murder Case In DC
Spain denies arrest of top ETA leader
Seoul singer breaks world marathon singing record
Mum of kidnapped UN official pleads for help
Pakistan: Mother of captive American issues appeal
'Drunken antics' cost Japan minister his job: reports
Thailand arrests alleged people smuggler
India adds record 15.41 mobile million users in January
Statuettes topple at Saint Laurent art show
US, China to join forces on economy, climate change
Pakistan Taliban agree "permanent ceasefire" in Swat
'King of Pop' eyes London comeback concerts
Asian finance ministers in Thailand to discuss global crisis
Philippines: Fugitive arrested in lottery outlet
'Slumdog Millionaire' poised for Oscars glory
Tokyo Electric to build solar plant in California: report
China tries to silence dissidents for Clinton visit
Rio embarrassed by surge in Carnival crime against tourists
Pakistani cenbank sells 24 bln rupees of T-bills
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights