Is it so bad?
Someone at my friend's office in Tokyo usually has a cardboard box full of idol cd's every major release and freely gives it away. Usually those who takes one would never would've bought it themselves so I consider it somewhat of a free promo for the groups.
Helped myself a couple of times too just so I don't have to open my own copy

Of course there's the issue of devaluing the brand too much by overexposure but seeing as Morning Musume in particular is nowhere near that mark yet (looks to be trending upwards with still quite a climb ahead) and could always use more word-of-mouth / viral promotions like these, I'll worry about it when the time comes.