Movielink Snubs DRM-less Macs

mcwetboy writes "CNET reports that the Macintosh is being shut out of online movie services like Movielink, and connects it to the Mac's lack of digital-rights management. From the article: '[Apple VP] Schiller says Apple has not released much in the way of protective technology ... because effective techniques for securing content without interfering with the experience of consumers have not yet been invented.' A consumer-friendly attitude towards DRM may be a double-edged sword (content may not be made available for that platform), but if the content is locked out of the Mac for that reason, do I really want it anyway?" In other news, the USSR provided free bread only to the poor people.

Comments

When Apples Introduces DRM...

[Bouncings]

What is implicit in the Schiller's statement... "There are some real challenges in DRM, It's important to protect artists' rights and we want to do that...but no one has been able to make a model that works."

So Apple supports the idea of DRM, just not the implementation? That's just as bad if you ask me, and I also think this looks new. In the past, I've only seen Apple on the side of "no DRM" -- now it seems they would be willing to implement DRM if it were done in a way that doesn't interfere with the user experience?

Just an observation.

Re:When Apples Introduces DRM...

[Iguanaphobic]

It's called a book.

not tracking or tethering the user in any way

I buy. I leave the store. End of story.

allowing the user to view the content on any machine

Any old eyeballs will do

allow the user to study and learn about the encoding scheme used

Read books on language, typesetting, bookbinding etc.

allowing the user to copy the content for his own use, or to give to friends

Photocopyer, writing, speaking into a microphone as you read. And then give the output or the original to friends.

allowing the user to create new collage-type works for the purposes of satire or commentary

Scissors :-)

allow the user to re-sell the content when he's through with it

Used book stores.

yet prevent China-type mass "piracy"

Publishers are still in business, so it must be working for them.

Seriously, the ultimate digital DRM would be something with all the attributes of a book.

Re:DRM's dirty little secret

[runenfool]

The problem is that Microsoft is telling execs that it CAN be protected. Thus they believe it and lock out other platforms.

It doesn't matter if its true or not, Gates/Ballmer are telling them what they want to hear.

Don't know if it's been said yet...

[Zergwyn]

...but it is vitally important that you actually let Apple know if you like their stance! I have seen posts already that say something to the effect of 'I applaud Apple for their policy...'. Don't tell us (the slashdot audience), tell Apple. They are about to come up against the big sword that hangs over all who would try to hold out, and this sword packs power: exlusive content. Media is going to come out in formats that are DRM exclusive. We say now that if it's DRM, what good is it? But what if the next Lord of The Rings was available in a DRM format only, or what if it was something else we really wanted? This isn't about just dumb movies or boy bands, this is about the future of all media.

Apple is going to come under pressure from its own customers to include support for this stuff. If we want them to stay on the high road and not curb consumer's rights, we need to tell them, both in words and with our wallets when possible. The same goes for any company that takes a similar stance. It may behoove you to go to their feedback page and tell them what you think, before they become convinced that nobody cares.

Do Americans Want Freedom or Bread and Circuses?

[FreeUser]

The real question that is likely to be answered is

"Do Americans care more about the freedoms for which hundreds of thousands of their forfather's died, or the Bread and Circuses Hollywood offers?"

In truth, the question will likely become more generic when this dreck is exported to the rest of the world:

"Will people care more about the bread and Circuses America's Hollywood offers them, or the freedoms they, their parents, and their grandparents have died trying to secure for them?"

Depressingly, the former will likely fall into the "Take away any liberties you like, but don't take away my Seinfeld!" here in the states. However, with hardware made in Taiwan and GNU/Linux displacing Windows in governments (and to some degree on the street) in most of the non-American world, the answer the rest of the world gives to the question will be very intersting, and I suspect a very rude surprise to the copyright cartels of New York and Hollywood, and those software and hardware purveyors that kowtow to them.

Put This in an Ad Now!!!

[toupsie]

CNET reports that the Macintosh is being shut out of online movie services like Movielink, and connects it to the Mac's lack of digital-rights management

This is what consumers want. Everytime business puts barriers to entertainment in front of consumers, they bypass it. People really, really like to be entertained and will go to some outlandish methods to obtain it -- Gladiators anyone?I like Apple's philosphy towards DRM, its a social issue not a technology issue. "Don't steal Music!" as it said on the sticker on my iPod.

This is no biggie for Apple. Just remember:
1) How long does it take to download a film than to drive to Blockbuster and get a DVD?
2) Would you rather watch a film on a 27" TV or a 17" Computer Monitor?
3) Apple has no DRM! You computer is free to read and write what you want! Its like Linux except it has a usable desktop environment and has great consumer apps...iMovie anyone?

Who cares?

[gsfprez]

This story is 100% bullshit. None of the pay-for-stale_media services has ever worked out. Yet, this article touts that these services are the wave of the future...?! Its not news to call listen-per-pay the future.. its and damn lie.

So the RIAA approves a few crippled download services and the MPAA approves a few crippled download services... so what? Its been done before... failures of Biblical proportions. Why didn't they report that?

In the real world, DVD's are open media (thanks to our friend who's paying for it with his freedom)... and what's going on in the world of DVD sales?

DVD sales are making them money hand over fist.. they can't buy enough trucks to take the money to the bank fast enough.

This story is bullshit because it doesn't note that 1/2 of the protection was taken off of a DVD last year in a underreported coup.. and what happend? Hary Potter.. which was both un-Macrovisioned AND was on the P2P nets long before the theatrical release became the biggest selling DVD of all time..

from the article..."[the iMac] also has a large contingent of early adopters, who likely would be interested in trying out technologies such as video on demand. "

That is not news... that is bullshit.

note to c|net... those iMac adopters can ALREADY watch Harry Potter, you NONCES!. They bought the open media format on DVD and are already watching it! Do you have to practice to be this stupid?

the real truth will be found out in the next 5 years.. who will proseper - open media or crippled formats? The trending up of DVD sales and the trending down of CD sales... which are being more and more crippled each day. Or the new cripple-ware services....

I'm putting my money on the open media standards....

What the article also doesn't do a good enough job of it pointing out WHY Final Cut Pro, TiBooks and linux renderfarms are the darling of Hollywood.. and all content creators....

The reason is.. they are not DRM-crippled.

Damnit... it should be against the law to call your site news.com when you are nothing but Microsoft and now, DRM shills... with no actual desire to report news.