Quote Originally Posted by Komplex
I don't think thats needed. Even if labels, even vinyl labels release all their back-catalog through random online stores, all thats required is a central, text based database to link everything up. With search functions and sorted by categories. Discogs style.

You search up a label and all links to any online stores selling their music would come up. Simple and easy and not run by anyone with a particular agenda. NO POLITICS.
Hmm sounds interesting. However, the streamlining of backed catalogs of thousands of labels into a single entity is overlooked with this approach. I'm not saying it wouldn't work, just pointing out some problems with it.

Massplanck suggested a single entity that has the database of all the music. If I understand you correctly, the music will be spread out amongst multiple online "mp3 stores" where you go a "main" text-based site to search for whatever track/catalog and it returns results from the number of mp3 stores where the catalogs/tracks are available with urls linked to the sites. That seems okay, but it for

1) its not in reference to what massplanck suggested and

2) there still exists a facet of control/power meaning someone/some entity will still have to develop the text-based site and create simple search functions or license searching from google . This still falls under the problem of financing and secondly, if it is something that isn't profitable or even sustainable, it may difficult to find someone who is willing to devote daily upkeep of such a site (open source maybe?, nah too many problems with that).

3) I was discussing an "itunes" style site and what problems would arise from it. The concept was to have a massive database of nearly all backstock and current stock of underground techno. There are advantages to this approach for all hindrances of the aforementioned model are minimized such as the payment system...who gets paid? How much? How are they paid? Who takes care of the licensing? If I understand your approach correctly then it seems each individual website that has the tracks/catalogs would have to handle this on their own. If there are 10+ sites, then this could create a number of financial and communication barriers especially with artists and labels getting paid.

I'm not bashing your idea, but i have been thinking about doing something like this for quite some time and it seems terribly difficult...

Thoughts?