∞ Pink Floyd wins case, bans individual sales of songs on iTunes

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Earlier this week, Pink Floyd sued its record label, EMI, for selling individual songs on digital music services like iTunes.

The High Court in London agreed with the band’s argument and on Thursday granted Pink Floyd the ability to ban individual song sales. According to the Telegraph, this is the first time a band has successfully sued its record label, preventing it from selling individual songs.

Pink Floyd had a clause in its contract that prevent the label from “unbundling” songs. The judge in the case said the purpose of the clause was to “preserve the artistic integrity of the albums.”

As of this writing, all of Pink Floyd’s songs on the iTunes Store are still available for individual purchase, although it doesn’t appear that will last long.


  • Joe

    I'm not a PInk Floyd fan, but based on 40+ years of heavy music listening, I personally think that "you have to listen to the whole album" is bunk.

    HOWEVER, whether I think it's bunk or not is irrelevant. As the creator of the work, they have the right to control how the product is distributed. Now, they can choose to delegate that right to someone else (the labels) or keep it themselves, but ultimately, the artist chooses to license or not to license their work, so I support them 100%.

    I do, however, think it's going to cost them sales. Most Pink Floyd fans already have all their music. The only new revenues will come from people just learning about them – and those newbies are more likely to buy a single song for $0.99 and then buy more if they like it than to spend $9.99 or more for the full album. But, as I said, it's their choice.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/jdalrymple Jim Dalrymple

      With most bands I'd probably agree with not having to listen to the whole album, but PF really is different. It's an experience listening to the entire album.

  • http://www.GaryDouglasTurner.com Gary

    It is interesting that they won the right to determine how their music is distributed. As an artist, I would sell tracks individually, but in the case of Pink Floyd, I would also buy the entire album. Its been a long time since I've seen or heard of folks doing concept albums like they used to though! After all, each composition is a snapshot of a state of mind, so I total get keeping an album conceived and composed as a complete work, together as a complete work. I remember those experiences of listening to the entire album… :)