Did U2 want it to leak? - Album to stream on My Space - ARTICLES REGARDING THE LEAK
- Thread starter silverfish
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone that follows U2.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Danny Boy
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
I think they would have a really hard time proving to any court that the people who bought this were "willfully infringing" anything.
Maybe they should have included a disclaimer on the payment page saying that the buyer should be sure that they are purchasing something that has actually been released
No, I don't think people who bought the tracks are infringing anything. But if you bought the tracks ahead of the release date and seeded a torrent that was then downloaded 200,000 times, well, you're on some pretty shaky legal ground.
I think they wanted it to leak. The reason is because I'm sure they have somebody lurking sites like this and everyone moaning here about the leak over the past week, then other bands that leak for publicity was a way for them to see how we the hardcore fans see the album and what single to release next. Which by the way should be a shorter version of Magnificent. 
You're 100% right, but technically you'd be in similar shaky ground as if you'd bought it from Best Buy after release date and then seeded a torrent with it that was downloaded whatever number of times.
Danny Boy
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
US law stipulates stiffer penalties for pre-release ("unpublished") material. I think the fact that you bought it would make it "published" even if it's before the official release date. But I wouldn't want to be having this conversation with the FBI.
Well, lucky for me the files have sat zipped in my computer since I purchased them.
i.e. I haven't even listened yet. Was waiting until Friday or Saturday to be able to listen without the weekday work stresses.
i.e. I haven't even listened yet. Was waiting until Friday or Saturday to be able to listen without the weekday work stresses.
Danny Boy
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
If you open the files in iTunes and look at the "comments" tag, there's a long alphanumeric code. I've been wondering if that code is unique to each purchaser and could be used to trace the leak.
I hope whoever shared realized the code was there and deleted it, though I've read that people were sharing the original zip file so probably not.
I hope whoever shared realized the code was there and deleted it, though I've read that people were sharing the original zip file so probably not.
Danny Boy
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
Was waiting until Friday or Saturday to be able to listen without the weekday work stresses.
Well, I have two small kids at home, so the only peace and quiet I get is on the commute to and from work. I burned myself a CD and have been listening during my commute.
Some on the iPod at work, too, but there's too many interruptions.
If that's what they wanted, this isn't going to help them a lot, considering how much we seem to be loving every single track on the thing.
If you open the files in iTunes and look at the "comments" tag, there's a long alphanumeric code. I've been wondering if that code is unique to each purchaser and could be used to trace the leak.
I hope whoever shared realized the code was there and deleted it, though I've read that people were sharing the original zip file so probably not.
Oh, I'm going to look when I get home. Do you still have your code? Maybe we can compare the last few digits to see if they're the same.
chrissybaby
Refugee
Sicy, Interference won't get in trouble for this will it? Are any news agencies aware that the leak originated here?
Is this a bit too high profile to be comfortable...? Just wondered if it had crossed anyone's mind?
Is this a bit too high profile to be comfortable...? Just wondered if it had crossed anyone's mind?
I thought about that, and Uni would have a decent case if they chose to come after Interference, unfortunately. However, I honestly don't think they ever would... pissing the 500 fans or so who downloaded directly here would just piss us off, and we are a group that spends a lot of money on this band (I'm sure many people here will be spending well over $1000 on band-related stuff this album cycle). Plus, this is just a minutia of the people who have downloaded the leak - it is all over the torrent world (I read that an estimated 200k people downloaded the leak via torrent yesterday, but God only knows if that's true).
We do know that someone over at Uni Australia is going to be in trouble.
chrissybaby
Refugee
Good points.
Is the only leak at the moment the one that came from here via GetMusic?
I've heard about a version on WhatCD that's 320kbps...
If they came down hard on this community they would be utterly stupid, but sometimes I fear that the "suits" don't get it...
Danny Boy
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
Yeah, PM me when you have your code.
Danny Boy
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
I do wonder how many sales they got before Getmusic pulled the plug.
Clawgrabber
War Child
No kidding. From a dude who has spend good money seeing U2 17 times, and purchasing all their cassettes, cd's, vinyl records, singles, the itunes box set, the ipod, u2.com memberships ever since it went paysite, propaganda before that, tshirts galore, all the remasters, the deluxe itunes of NLOTH and the Boxset NLOTH (plus an inflatible lemon and a friggin mouspad), its safe to say i'd be a teensy bit ticked off if Universal chose to come after Interference.
I cringe to thing how much money i've dropped on U2 in my lifetime. And I bet most people here have far outspent me in this regard (which is why i love the Blue Crack so much)
I think U2 leaked it on purpose.
The people/persons that are going to get in trouble are whoever put those files up on the web for download/buying purposes. This is why we dont allow direct download links. I'm pretty sure they cant do anything to us since we are not the ones that made the original files available for download, and there are not download links all over this site.
ETA: Back when I think it was HTDAAB leaked.. there were download links posted all over this site.. ysi send space, etc. We got a few C&D letters from Universal by email as well as by regular mail telling us to remove them immediately. This is why those sites are censored here and you cant type them out. But really, what can they do to us if there are no links? I'm sure they have bigger fish to fry.
Liesje
Blue Crack Addict
I've gotten C&Ds before (for U2 music, lol) and they don't do anything. In my cases, it was songs I had uploaded to some personal web space so I could then download it to my computer at home (too big to e-mail) and got the C&Ds because I was "sharing" it. Once it explicitly mentioned an mp3 I had of Vertigo (back when it leaked) and didn't mention any of the other U2 songs stored in the same directory.
They only come after you if you are sharing/uploading.
And yeah....I'm buying the album anyway. Having the leak only makes me want it more!
They only come after you if you are sharing/uploading.
And yeah....I'm buying the album anyway. Having the leak only makes me want it more!
Acrobatic
War Child
The same discussion was going on during the HTDAAB leak and talks of the band's possible Master Plan of leaking it at the right time. I personally want to believe the band leaked it for strategic purposes but have a hard time with that considering Paul McG's comments concerning Radiohead and the way they distributed In Rainbows.
However, I do agree with the masses that even with the initial leak, only die-hards really would have known about it and even with the news media and reports I still have to believe a good portion of the downloads to this minute are by true fans (at least 80%). We are the ones who, despite downloading it early, either have at least one version of the album on order or will be on iTunes the second it releases or in line at the record store waiting for the Open sign to flip over and the door to unlock. We are the ones who will be doing our best to get tickets and if more than we can handle will bring a close friend or relative to share in the experience - not sell to support our habits (buying records, merchandise) so some scumbag on the side of the arena can sell it for twice as much.
I would have to believe someone in or close to the U2 family monitors these forums and knows exactly who we are -as in what kind of fans we truly are. It would be sad if Interference took any heat but what's kinda funny is there are fans on the U2.com boards going on and on about the album, in it's entirety and if they aren't going to shut themselves down then really no logic in going after anyone but the source.
However, I do agree with the masses that even with the initial leak, only die-hards really would have known about it and even with the news media and reports I still have to believe a good portion of the downloads to this minute are by true fans (at least 80%). We are the ones who, despite downloading it early, either have at least one version of the album on order or will be on iTunes the second it releases or in line at the record store waiting for the Open sign to flip over and the door to unlock. We are the ones who will be doing our best to get tickets and if more than we can handle will bring a close friend or relative to share in the experience - not sell to support our habits (buying records, merchandise) so some scumbag on the side of the arena can sell it for twice as much.
I would have to believe someone in or close to the U2 family monitors these forums and knows exactly who we are -as in what kind of fans we truly are. It would be sad if Interference took any heat but what's kinda funny is there are fans on the U2.com boards going on and on about the album, in it's entirety and if they aren't going to shut themselves down then really no logic in going after anyone but the source.
MadelynIris
Refugee
U2's new album 'No Line on the Horizon' will premiere on MySpace Music on Friday
Exclusive: U2's new album 'No Line on the Horizon' will premiere on MySpace Music on Friday
Feb 19, 2009, 08:48 PM | by Adam B. Vary
Categories: Music, U2, Web/Tech
In a move that's becoming commonplace in the current fractured music landscape, U2 will premiere their highly anticipated new album, No Line on the Horizon, on MySpace Music starting tomorrow morning, the website revealed to EW.com exclusively. At 5 a.m. EST (2 a.m. PST) on Feb. 20, listeners can stream the entire album for free on U2's MySpace page (U2 on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads), meaning fans will be able to catch No Line on the Horizon well over a week before its official U.S release on March 3.
Exclusive: U2's new album 'No Line on the Horizon' will premiere on MySpace Music on Friday
Feb 19, 2009, 08:48 PM | by Adam B. Vary
Categories: Music, U2, Web/Tech
In a move that's becoming commonplace in the current fractured music landscape, U2 will premiere their highly anticipated new album, No Line on the Horizon, on MySpace Music starting tomorrow morning, the website revealed to EW.com exclusively. At 5 a.m. EST (2 a.m. PST) on Feb. 20, listeners can stream the entire album for free on U2's MySpace page (U2 on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads), meaning fans will be able to catch No Line on the Horizon well over a week before its official U.S release on March 3.
Exclusive: U2's new album 'No Line on the Horizon' will premiere on MySpace Music on Friday | PopWatch Blog | EW.com
In a move that's becoming commonplace in the current fractured music landscape, U2 will premiere their highly anticipated new album, No Line on the Horizon, on MySpace Music starting tomorrow morning, the website revealed to EW.com exclusively. At 5 a.m. EST (2 a.m. PST) on Feb. 20, listeners can stream the entire album for free on U2's MySpace page (U2 on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads), meaning fans will be able to catch No Line on the Horizon well over a week before its official U.S release on March 3.
MySpace has increasingly served as a go-to portal for A-list artists -- including Beyonce, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, Keith Urban, and Franz Ferdinand -- hoping to generate some pre-release buzz for their albums, and U2 is definitely pulling out all the promotional stops for No Line on the Horizon. Along with the MySpace release and their recent appearance opening the Grammy Awards, the band will play five consecutive nights on Late Night With David Letterman starting March 2.
So, PopWatchers, are you excited to get an early look at what Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., and Adam Clayton have in store? Once the album goes live on MySpace, ahem, get on your boots (metaphorically speaking), hop on over there to give it a listen, and then hop on back here to tell us whatcha think!
In a move that's becoming commonplace in the current fractured music landscape, U2 will premiere their highly anticipated new album, No Line on the Horizon, on MySpace Music starting tomorrow morning, the website revealed to EW.com exclusively. At 5 a.m. EST (2 a.m. PST) on Feb. 20, listeners can stream the entire album for free on U2's MySpace page (U2 on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads), meaning fans will be able to catch No Line on the Horizon well over a week before its official U.S release on March 3.
MySpace has increasingly served as a go-to portal for A-list artists -- including Beyonce, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, Keith Urban, and Franz Ferdinand -- hoping to generate some pre-release buzz for their albums, and U2 is definitely pulling out all the promotional stops for No Line on the Horizon. Along with the MySpace release and their recent appearance opening the Grammy Awards, the band will play five consecutive nights on Late Night With David Letterman starting March 2.
So, PopWatchers, are you excited to get an early look at what Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., and Adam Clayton have in store? Once the album goes live on MySpace, ahem, get on your boots (metaphorically speaking), hop on over there to give it a listen, and then hop on back here to tell us whatcha think!
LemonMelon
More 5G Than Man
Our heads would have exploded over this on Monday.
SMH article on the leak
Look who leaked U2's new album - web - Technology - smh.com.au
February 20, 2009 - 2:14PM
Full CD-quality copies of every song on U2's upcoming album, No Line On The Horizon, have been leaked on to the web after Universal Music Australia accidentally put it up for sale on its online music store two weeks early.
The album - U2's 12th - goes on sale on March 3 but it was available to download for a brief period this week on getmusic.com.au, run by Universal Music Australia.
The U2 fan blog, U2log.com, published a screenshot showing it had bought the album for $19.80.
Now, No Line On The Horizon is widely available on BitTorrent and other file sharing websites.
Universal Music Australia did not respond to calls asking how the track went up for sale early.
It is not clear if the leak to illegal download sites was a result of this error, however, it is the likely explanation as U2 has kept the album under wraps and reportedly sent no preview copies to the press, instead organising private hearings.
Scores of fans - both in Australia and overseas - have posted on unofficial U2 message boards saying they bought the album from getmusic.com.au during the period it was available.
But the album, U2's first in five years, will not be completely new to hardcore U2 fans as poor quality recordings of four tracks were published on the web in August last year after frontman Bono played them too loudly on his stereo at his villa in the south of France.
A U2 fanatic from the Netherlands who was holidaying in the village of Eze, on the French riviera, heard the new tracks being blared from Bono's window and decided to record them using his mobile phone.
The quality was poor and the beach could be heard in the background but that didn't deter U2 fans keen for a teaser.
In January last year, U2's longtime manager, Paul McGuinness, lashed out at music pirates at an industry conference.
He slammed internet service providers, saying they had "enjoyed a bonanza" in the last few years by accepting fees from illegal downloaders while doing nothing to prevent them from stealing music.
He joined the chorus of music industry players calling on ISPs to disconnect users who have been caught obtaining music illegally.
"Their snouts have been at our trough feeding free for too long," said McGuinness.
In 2004, tracks from U2's last album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, were leaked after a CD containing them were stolen from a photo shoot in the south of France.
Look who leaked U2's new album - web - Technology - smh.com.au
February 20, 2009 - 2:14PM
Full CD-quality copies of every song on U2's upcoming album, No Line On The Horizon, have been leaked on to the web after Universal Music Australia accidentally put it up for sale on its online music store two weeks early.
The album - U2's 12th - goes on sale on March 3 but it was available to download for a brief period this week on getmusic.com.au, run by Universal Music Australia.
The U2 fan blog, U2log.com, published a screenshot showing it had bought the album for $19.80.
Now, No Line On The Horizon is widely available on BitTorrent and other file sharing websites.
Universal Music Australia did not respond to calls asking how the track went up for sale early.
It is not clear if the leak to illegal download sites was a result of this error, however, it is the likely explanation as U2 has kept the album under wraps and reportedly sent no preview copies to the press, instead organising private hearings.
Scores of fans - both in Australia and overseas - have posted on unofficial U2 message boards saying they bought the album from getmusic.com.au during the period it was available.
But the album, U2's first in five years, will not be completely new to hardcore U2 fans as poor quality recordings of four tracks were published on the web in August last year after frontman Bono played them too loudly on his stereo at his villa in the south of France.
A U2 fanatic from the Netherlands who was holidaying in the village of Eze, on the French riviera, heard the new tracks being blared from Bono's window and decided to record them using his mobile phone.
The quality was poor and the beach could be heard in the background but that didn't deter U2 fans keen for a teaser.
In January last year, U2's longtime manager, Paul McGuinness, lashed out at music pirates at an industry conference.
He slammed internet service providers, saying they had "enjoyed a bonanza" in the last few years by accepting fees from illegal downloaders while doing nothing to prevent them from stealing music.
He joined the chorus of music industry players calling on ISPs to disconnect users who have been caught obtaining music illegally.
"Their snouts have been at our trough feeding free for too long," said McGuinness.
In 2004, tracks from U2's last album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, were leaked after a CD containing them were stolen from a photo shoot in the south of France.
purpleoscar
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Yeah well I'm going to buy this great album.
So many unmentioned interference references in that article.
purpleoscar
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Yes. There's a torrent up at 320 now. Slightly better sound. I still want the bloody CD and DVD.
I still don't get how supposedly Napster Mobile had NLOTH for sale on it's website for almost a week and no one noticed except someone at @u2.com. I think maybe they wanted the album to leak. Either that or there were serious errors on getmusic, walmart and the napster mobile websites.
u2trinity
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
The one thing about U2 fans is that we all enjoy having a physical copy of the album.
We also like having various special editions.
And we like sharing with our friends.
Tally all this up and you can see why U2's albums tend to go Platinum or more within a few months of release. Die-hard Fans alone will ensure big sales even if there isn't a huge hit song.Most bands probably can't say that.
not to mention the fans that buy multiple back up copies of of cd's and dvd's .
OP
OP
silverfish
The Fly
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2009
- Messages
- 65
It would be interesting to know the true identities of some of the forum members.
Journalists perhaps????
