A8 – the China First Online Music Store

A8 online music store is the first of this kind in China. During the promotion period, members enjoy unlimited legitimate music downloads by only $15 Renminbi (USD $1.90) per month.

Illegal music download is popular in China. Out of 7200 China music download websites, only 10% pay the copyright fee. A8 online music store claims to have a few hundred thousands songs listed and unlimited copyright license. You can also publish your own music on the website and get commission based on their popularity.

Before you can purchase a song, you need to buy A8 virtual money, “A” money. Each $1 Renminbi can be exchanged for $1 “A” money. Each song download is start from only $0.50 Renminbi (USD $0.06), while Apple iTune music store sells at USD $0.99 for each song. Monthly unlimited download membership is $20 Renminbi (USD $2.50).

The songs in A8 music store are protected using Microsoft Media Digital Rights Management (DRM). You need Windows Media Player or compatible portable music player to play the downloaded songs.

My two cents

Apple sold 1 billion songs! I am still waiting Malaysia online music store. If Apple iTune music store extends to Malaysia, I will buy an iPod. Creative also has a SoundBuzz music store but it doesn’t seems to be successful. Asians prefer pirate downloads?

[via XinHuaNet]