Microsoft to Become Mobile DRM Standard?

An anonymous reader writes "It seems most of the media has missed the significance of Microsoft's recent partnership with DoCoMo to put Windows Media DRM on i-mode handsets. If all the i-mode players adopt Windows DRM, that gives Microsoft access to a significant chunk of the mobile market. Couple this with the more recent MTV Urge announcement and you've got Microsoft set to own the DRM space - at least on mobile devices - by stealth. Telecoms.com has a take on the situation, but also reveals that the GSM Association may be on the verge of recommending Windows mobile DRM to all its members. Puts the French copyright and DRM legislation in a whole new perspective - interoperability issues can be solved by removing the competition."

Comments

And in a related note...

[hullabalucination]

I recently took the $300/year I would have probably spent on commercial music this year and spent it on a new guitar instead, and started playing again in earnest (after about 10 years of on-again, off-again).

I've been extremely disappointed with 90% of the albums I've purchased over the past decade. One half-way decent song and 7 to 9 other Contractual Obligatory Offerings for $13.95 is just way too out of line with market realities. I guess I'm the last person on the planet who doesn't own an iPod (actually, I've been told there's another person in Mauritania who also doesn't own one), so I'm not buying my music alacarte. I'm not sure that even if I could purchase by the song I would find enough good stuff to be satisified with the Standard Product coming out of the music industry these days.

On the plus side: playing music makes you smarter (pretty sure I've read that research has indicated this; back in the 70's, IBM used to use programming aptitude tests that looked closely at musical skills as an indicator of possible programming aptitude in non-programmers), it's a great stress-reliever and no matter how bad you are as a musician, you'll never be as bad as The White Stripes.

Seriously, though, several friends have told me that an hour of me for free is a better deal than 42:30 of Beck at any price. I tell them to bring the beer and everybody's happy.

Re:And in a related note...

[BlueStrat]

Amen, Brother, sing it loud!

I play guitar (lead in a very good little blues band) as well as being a bit of a *nix geek. (OK, maybe more than "a bit" :P) I've had a number of people that know I'm a computer geek ask me to help them with various stupid music DRM issues, (most of which were just insoluble legally..nature of the beast and all that) and I've actually managed to convince a couple of the more frustrated among them to take up playing an instrument.

When I talked to them after some months had passed, they told me they enjoyed the ability to actually *make* music so much, that they spend most of their spare time/money that they had previously spent on "a limited license to listen to" music on lessons, music accessories, and just plain enjoying a whole new experience and ability to actually *create* something, even if they aren't gifted with any notable musical talent.

Sadly, I know most people wouldn't consider doing this as it requires an investment in time and work, as well as money. However, if one decides to go this route, you'll find it is *so* much more rewarding than simply spending some cash on someone elses' idea of good music.

BTW, I know of no DRM'ed guitars, drums, basses, horns, etc., so anything you create is *yours*, and limited only by the amount of practice and imagination you invest, plus any natural talent you may have.

As a side note, one of these people I talk about has actually started to play harmonica in a local band, and makes some side money from gigs. I know no way to legally make money from a DRM'ed music "purchase". He's quite happy, society is enriched, and the commercial music industry is that much poorer.

Cheers!

Strat