Denmark Spearheads ISP Debate

As American label executives pontificate with their heads buried in legalese concerning the future of broadband music bundles offered via ISP services, Denmark’s wireless access provider TDC just this last weekend began ponying up buffet-style music downloads to its subscribers.

As American label executives pontificate with their heads buried in legalese concerning the future of broadband music bundles offered via ISP services, Denmark’s wireless access provider TDC just this last weekend began ponying up buffet-style music downloads to its subscribers.

Already attracting buy-ins from bigwig labels such as Sony, BMG, EMI and Warner Music Denmark, the development comes on the heels of similar concepts brought up by Warner Music Group rep. Jim Griffin – former head of digital media at Geffen Records – who as recent as a few words at last month’s SXSW in Austin, Texas, stated the conglomerate was considering such a leap into online music delivery methods.

While not unlike subscription services like Rhapsody or Napster, it goes without saying that ISP services would reach a far broader population, and likely be considered a package deal, instead of a tack-on option, thus increasing subscription prices. That has caused some dissenters to dismiss the idea as a mere “usage tax” that would only marginalize customers, especially considering the large number of users still participating in illegal peer-to-peer download.

However, all music bundles offered within TDC’s “Play” service have their limits. Not only would permanent downloads require separate purchase from DRM-protected music, but subscribers would lose all playback rights following cancellation.