It was announced in passing during today's press event, but now it's official in their site, FAQ included: the Sony Music Store will be dead dead dead after March 2008. The eBook service won't be affected, but the music is going the way of the Dodo as they embrace the openness. Read on for Sony's explanations, excuses and other marketing love these guys.

When is the store closing? Specific timing will vary by region depending on market demand, but it will not be before March 2008. Connect customers will be informed of relevant details in advance.
Why is the store closing?
We are moving to the open Windows Media® platform in North America. In line with that, Sony will phase out the CONNECT™ Music Service in the U.S. and Canada. Specific timing will depend on market demand, but will not be before March 2008. To be clear, the CONNECT eBook service for the Sony Reader will not be affected.

What will happen to my music library (content I own)?
Customers' existing SonicStage® music libraries are not at risk, but we recommend that customers archive their music libraries to audio CDs.

What about all the music I ripped from my CD collection?
Even after the store closes you will continue to be able to play, manage, and transfer the music in your SonicStage library and on your existing ATRAC devices. We will also provide a tool to allow you to convert any non-DRM music you imported (ripped) into SonicStage into MP3 format. This tool will be available soon via CONNECT Support. The MP3 Conversion Tool is available now for download from http://www.sony.com/walkmansupport.

What can I do with ATRAC content that has DRM (Digital Rights Management)?
For your purchased music from CONNECT, you can burn it to audio CD and re-rip it into MP3 format to continue enjoying it for personal use.

What if I have problems after the store closes?
You will be able to download the latest version of SonicStage software and have contact with CONNECT Support through at least March 2008. CONNECT customers will be informed of relevant details, including future support options. Go to http://www.sony.com/connectsupport and click "Email Customer Support".

What will happen to any devices (music players) I currently own?
Even after the store closes you will continue to be able to play, manage, and transfer the music in your SonicStage library and on your existing ATRAC® devices. Customers' existing music libraries are not at risk, but we recommend that customers archive their music libraries to audio CDs.

What about any promotional credits I currently have?
We recommend that you redeem any unused codes before March 2008 so they do not go to waste. Promotional codes have no monetary value as per our Terms and Conditions. Click here to find out how to check and see if you have any credits in your account.

Will I be able to download music I paid for if I get a new computer?
You will be able to download any music you purchased from CONNECT via your Account section until at least March 2008. We recommend that customers archive their music libraries to audio CDs.

Will I still be able to transfer content to my device(s)?
Even after the store closes you will continue to be able to play, manage, and transfer the music in your SonicStage library and on your existing ATRAC devices. You may also transfer new music you may have bought online from an increasing number of DRM-free music retailers offering compatible formats, such as MP3.

Will CONNECT continue to add new songs to the store?
At some point we will stop adding new music to the store, but the timing is still to be determined.

How will customers be informed of relevant details regarding the status of the music store?
Registered users will receive the information via the email address they have provided. Information will also be posted on the CONNECT music store and on the Sony Electronics Customer Support site.

[Sony]

6:25 AM on Thu Aug 30 2007
By Jesus Diaz
7,724 views
23 comments

Comments

mudman at 06:32 AM on 08/30/07
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Sony has a store?
JasonCo at 07:04 AM on 08/30/07
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Is this a description of how to get around Sonicstage? "Archive to an audio CD and rip it into mp3" Gawd... if someone had like 400+ songs that would take forever.

Fortunately, I'm pretty sure nobody was that stupid to get hitched with Sony's exclusive format. I think everybody knew that (except Sony, but it looks like they got wise...)
OMG! Ponies! at 07:15 AM on 08/30/07
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Now how am I going to get my ATRAC fix?
XtremeCamera at 07:28 AM on 08/30/07
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I'm beginning to think that no matter which company tries to topple Apple's iTMS it will fail. No amount of money, no amount of DRM-Free music, no amount of advertising, no amount of anything can or will work. Seems to me that Apple's got the lock, through luck, timing, software, whatever. They were in the right place at the right time, and I think that most people who buy music online simply trust the iTMS and do not trust the others. I could be wrong, but I think that for the foreseeable future iTMS is it, period.

Which is weird for me, cause I think I've purchased about 5 songs on iTMS since it opened. I use MP3Sparks now, and that's it. A dollar for a song is, to me, a whole lot of money, but I suppose there are tons of people that think otherwise.
daaniel at 07:56 AM on 08/30/07
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@mudman:
lol exactly what i was thinking
james-42 at 08:02 AM on 08/30/07
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That graphic makes me chuckle every time I see it.
Type-E at 08:03 AM on 08/30/07
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@daaniel: me too
kingshrimp at 09:14 AM on 08/30/07
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nokia anyone?
Lorne at 09:48 AM on 08/30/07
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Will they continue to support my rootkit vulnerability?
smac1 at 09:52 AM on 08/30/07
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In what way is the Windows Media Platform open??
soul_grind at 10:28 AM on 08/30/07
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SO are they moving to using DRM free music, or simply to a different DRM version?

Cos this ilustrates the problem with DRM purchases.. you are locked into one system, one set of software... and if they decide to chuck it in then you are stuffed.

This is why i used to buy all my digtal music from allofmp3.com before they got shut down.. not because it was cheap (i'd have happily voluntarily paid more) but because it was DRM free. (plus i could choose the quality and format and pay accordingly.)

I still think the best way to buy music is to buy the CD and rip it though.. that way you have a high quality backup source available.. and if formats and players change you can always re-rip it at a higher quality.
Kaiser-Machead at 10:31 AM on 08/30/07
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So, they're going to dump their crappy ATRAC format for Windows Media? Good job Sony, may your sphincters one day be headless.
scrawledinwax at 10:36 AM on 08/30/07
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All this means is that Sony are going the Creative route - stop having their own store and just support other stores by having your players do DRM-WMA and DRM-free MP3/WMA/AAC.

I have this weird, irrational thing for Walkmans, but now that the software doesn't suck and the hardware is still good, what's not to like. If you can find one of the new players on sale later, go nuts.
OMG! Ponies! at 10:49 AM on 08/30/07
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Maybe they shouldn't have given their format a homophone for another failed format
cyberlink74 at 11:06 AM on 08/30/07
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@XtremeCamera:

Or iTMS will be the last to acknowledge that the public would prefer DRM free music for their dollar.

Not that Sony has been an angel in regards to DRM, but maybe this is another sign of the changing times (particularly the fact that Sony explicitly explained how to circumvent the DRM)
DrifterTech at 12:03 PM on 08/30/07
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Only suckers pay for music online.
Kaiser-Machead at 12:19 PM on 08/30/07
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@scrawledinwax: I liked their players at some point, until I went through so many that had crappy headphone jacks that eventually wore out and would only play through one ear of every headset.
cduran02 at 02:30 PM on 08/30/07
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Hmmmm....this could be a sign of Sony BMG selling un-DRM'd music on iTunes.
aec007 at 03:07 PM on 08/30/07
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ATRAC or 8-TRACK ?
discounteggroll at 09:01 PM on 08/30/07
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A serious case of the "AMFYOYO"

read on

[www.urbandictionary.com]
Jawajoey at 09:46 PM on 08/30/07
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Aw shucks. Sony Connect easily had the best searching of any online music service I've tried. I can't speak for their DRM, though. My summer job required me to experience the systems of several music stores, and Connect was easily the best, even over iTunes, in terms of speed and UI. It had a really great selection, too, but no one competes with iTunes there. The only downside was that you have to use Internet Explorer to browse their site

It's a shame to see the best site (and all my hard work) go down.
JoeCassara at 03:17 AM on 08/31/07
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@XtremeCamera:
>Seems to me that Apple's got the lock, through luck, timing, software, whatever.

It's called *sex appeal*, gramps. ;)
deadlizard at 03:40 AM on 08/31/07
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Yet another dead format from Sony. Haven't they learned from their history with Betamax, UMD, Digidisk (or whatever it name was) and countless other crappy, unnecessary media formats they created and met the same fate? Their expensive and totally incompatible with anything else Memory Sticks can't die any sooner. And BlueRay may be ahead in the game now, but I'm not betting on it to win.