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Britons Frustrated by DRM

Posted by timothy on from the hence-the-inhibitions dept.

thesp writes "The BBC is reporting that UK music lovers are 'frustrated' with DRM restrictions and pricing of online music purchases. The confusion over file formats and player compatibility are being compounded with the desire to 'own' rather than 'license' an album or track, leading to widespread concern. This debate has recently been the province only of the technologists and the media companies, with the consumer being regarded as unaware and unwitting. Is this a sign that this picture is changing, with consumers begining to realise and leverage their own market power?"

3 of 565 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Finally, but will it do anything? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    didn't France recently do this?

    No. A recent judgement involving consumer watchdog associations said:
    - companies have the right to put protections on their CDs
    - consumers who experience problems reading these CDs are entitled a refund.
    Now, circumventing encryption is still authorised in Europe. The problem would be a DMCA-like bill at the European level (such as EUCD).

  2. Cory Doctorow was right by Kartoch · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Remember me the speech of Cory Doctorow given to Microsoft's Research Group.:

    Here's what I'm here to convince you of:
    1. That DRM systems don't work
    2. That DRM systems are bad for society
    3. That DRM systems are bad for business
    4. That DRM systems are bad for artists
    5. That DRM is a bad business-move for MSFT
    --
    Ceci n'est pas une signature.
  3. Re:it was bound to happen by mustrum_ridcully · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Mind you Apple are being taken to the European Court because they prevent UK downloaders from using the French and German iTunes sites and getting cheaper downloads.

    For those of you who don't know the EUs single market prohibits this, a person from one EU must be able to buy something from another EU state as if they were living there - no discrimination can be made on grounds of nationality - thereby ensuring the free movement of goods.