What Is The Current State Of SDMI On The Market?

theancient1 asks: "With malls already decorating for Christmas, it's time to start thinking about gifts. Since MP3 players are making their way onto more people's lists this year, I thought this would be an excellent time to get a round-up of the current state of SDMI with respect to current hardware. Are any players currently looking for a watermark within a standard MP3 file? What restrictions do current players have on what I do with my music? To what extent are the popular vendors caving to the demands of the recording industry? Numerous vendors are advertising their players as 'SDMI compliant to allow you to download music from major labels.' How can we get the message across that SDMI is not a feature without a price? I'm looking for some good Web resources for the average non-geek consumer."

Comments

Warning others about SDMI

[Lazarus Short]

How can we get the message across that SDMI is not a feature without a price?

Just tell them the truth. SDMI is a system that's stated goal is to prevent piracy (or copyright infringement, uauthorized redistribution, sharing, or whatever you want to call it). Then tell them that SDMI is going to make it harder for them to make legitimate copies of music they've purchased. Then tell them, that when SDMI workarounds are developed (as they inevitably will be, DMCA or no DMCA), that the RIAA will push for harsher laws taking away their rights to fair use, all in the name of preventing piracy.

Tell them this, and tell them that the only way they can keep their fair use rights, and stick it to the greedy, corrupt record companies, is to "Just say no" to SDMI.

--