Apple is DRM's Biggest Backer

parvenu74 writes "Arstechnica is running an article pointing out that while some pockets of the entertainment industry are experimenting with DRM-free distribution, Apple Inc, which announced that they have now sold over 2,000,000,000 songs on iTunes, is now the strongest pro-DRM force in digial media. From the article: 'DRM is dying. It's a statement being echoed with increasing frequency around the Web over the last few weeks, and is perhaps best articulated in this Billboard article. But there's a powerful force standing in the way of this DRM-free panacea, and it might not be the one you expect: Apple, Inc.'"

Comments

Independent music on iTMS

[thegameiam]

Apple is pretty friendly to independent music sources, as well - CDBaby has a deal where for a small fee they'll perform digital distribution, and I've noticed that iTMS is the overwhelming source of all of the digital purchases of my band's stuff.

Their payout rates to artists are as good or better than other services, as I discussed elsewhere.

So while no-DRM would be ideal, Apple's approach isn't unfriendly to indie musicians.

Re:How about Apple TV

[Tony Hoyle]

AppleTV has DRM support... from the specs..

"Video formats supported: H.264 and protected H.264 (from iTunes Store)"

No mpeg2, divx or anything else... so it's clear they don't want you using videos from anywhere else. Pure h264 videos are rather hard to get at the moment.

It really wouldn't suprise me if the DVI was HDCP enabled - in fact the content providers will probably insist.

Re:That's why I don't buy from Apple.

[slughead]

Do you know a way to make iTunes rip VBR files?

Preferences -> Advanced -> Setting: -> Custom

Re:That's why I don't buy from Apple.

[OECD]

Don't forget that Apple have made no attempt to disable the 'Burn to CD then reimport' workaround

True, but there's no equivalent for DVDs, unfortunately. That's why I buy tunes on iTMS but not vids.