Could these "free giveaways/downloads" from record and movie companies be a trojan horse

[susanbanks44]

to collect information from users? I am just curious about this whole thing.

Free Bob Dylan tunes, Michael Moore's movie, Radiohead, NIN etc....

I went to check out the Bob Dylan free download the other night and read this:

"The Bob Dylan track you are about to download is provided by Sony BMG Music Entertainment (UK) Limited ("Sony BMG") and powered by guardian.co.uk. The details you submit below are being collected by guardian.co.uk on behalf of Sony BMG and will be passed to Sony BMG. By submitting your email address, you indicate your consent to receiving email messages containing Bob Dylan news and updates from Sony BMG. If you do not wish to receive such messages, please follow the "unsubscribe" link in any of the Bob Dylan emails that are sent to you."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/competition/2008/sep/22/bob.dylan.download.mississippi


Why would this third party site pass along my information to Sony BMG? Are they going after pirates?

[Catch22Dem]

1. The CD market has been tanking for years...

I suspect they're trying to collect marketing demographics. Take it while it's free. :D

[susanbanks44]

3. I know, BUT

the info they pass along would include ip addresses and other private information.

[Catch22Dem]

7. IP addresses aren't private information (n/t)

[bananas]

2. You're supposed to use fake information.

[susanbanks44]

4. That worked well in that Sarah Palin hacker case

now didnt. The kid used a program that was supposed to hide his IP address, but the Secret Service contacted the program's company and got all of the info they needed to find him.

I am not being paranoid, I just think this is odd for all of these free giveaways.

[bananas]

6. I think they're more interested in marketing information

They can sell the information to other companies as well as use it in their own marketing.
We know that AT&T is spying on everybody and has immunity from prosecution,
so using throw-away email accounts is just a way of avoiding spam.

[iamahaingttta]

5. Nothing in life is free.

You want it?
Go get it!
There will be a price. (Your info)
Are you willing to pay that price?
Then don't worry about it.
Not willing to pay that price? (I'm not interested in giving corps my info)
Then forget about the "free" crap that you don't need anyway.

It's pretty simple, really...

[and-justice-for-all]

8. NIN - Trent Reznor always gives shit away for free...

He actually encourages downloading of all his stuff.