EMI lottery gambit: not an April Fool’s joke?

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I was going to write something about struggling EMI teaming with Pollard Banknote on a music-themed lottery venture (and hey, EMI holds the copyrights to the perfect track for the commercials!). Having the chance to win ‘music downloads, ring tunes, merchandise, and ‘one-of-a-kind’ experiences from EMI Music’s chart-topping artists and music legends’ isn’t as enticing, at least for me personally, as the opportunity to bank several million dollars in a real lottery, which would enable me to spend the rest of my life lounging at home, updating my Facebook page and listening to the songs I’ve already downloaded. Of course, you might have different priorities. Anyway, after seeing former Grokster and Mashboxx honcho Wayne Rosso’s take on the venture, (warning: not fit for prudes), I realized there was nothing left to say.

Updated at 7:55 a.m. April 2: An EMI spokeswoman told me that the lottery offers cash prizes to go along with the EMI gear. That’s more like it! Meanwhile, Rosso tells of his first experience with the new lottery (warning: not fit for the gullible).

--Jon Healey

Healey writes editorials for The Times’ Opinion Manufacturing Division.