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Apple is DRM's Biggest Backer

Posted by Zonk on from the set-my-mp3s-free dept.

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.'"

3 of 400 comments (clear)

  1. How about Apple TV by rvw · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I read that Apple TV works without DRM, well the DVI signal to the TV/monitor is not encrypted. How does that fit into this picture?

  2. But the laziest DRM by shirizaki · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Apple's DRM doesn't wonderously restrict files. You can still burn them and rerip them.


    YES! We know there's a small reduction in quality.


    Even though they have DRM, they aren't doing it totally for the RIAA. They have a business model that kind of works: .99 for a song, do almost what you want with it. They mostly have DRM so they can segway that iPod purchase into some iTunes purchases, and they can only offer that type of DRM. That is why the French fought to try and force Apple to disclose their DRM method. Apple is doing it more for a business model rather than legality according to distributing music. So it's going to be a tougher fight for them to either disclose their DRM method or to be totally non-DRM.

    In reality, it's still the record labels that are in the biggest way of DRM and their legal rabbit the RIAA. The recent russian site that closed did send royalty checks to RIAA, but they never cashed them.

    Systems are in place, but it's the industry that holds it back.

    --
    In Soviet Russia, dots slash you!
  3. You have a choice in DRM today by cryfreedomlove · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You can live in a DRM free world today. Your participation in the existing paradigm is voluntary. Is there anything stopping you today from producing your own hit movie and releasing it without DRM?

    If you don't like DRM then become a DRM-free producer. You'll be a more effective leader by walking that walk than you will by being a harping critic who takes no action.