Store Says DRM Causes 3 of 4 Support Calls

Carter writes "Ars Technica is reporting that Musicload, one of Europe's largest movie stores, has found that 75% of its customer support problems are caused by DRM. Users have frequent problems using the music that they have purchased, which has led Musicload to try selling independent label music without DRM. Artists choosing to abandon DRM in favor of good old-fashioned MP3 have seen 40% growth in sales since December. Good to see someone in the business both 'gets it' and is willing to do something about it."

Comments

Re:These Are Desired Problems

[Red Flayer]

In fact, on their site, I don't see an iPod as being supported.

From the Musicload site:

TIPPS
Kein WMA mit iPod!
Kein WMA mit iPod!
Der iPod unterstützt leider nicht das populäre Windows Media Audio (WMA) Format von Microsoft. Musicload empfiehlt deshalb Mobile Player zu kaufen, die WMA und MP3 Formate abspielen können.

Auf Englisch (my translation):

IPod unfortunately does not support Microsoft's popular format, Windows Media Audio (WMA). Therefore, Musicload recommends that you buy a Mobile Player which can play WMA and MP3 formats.

Specifically, Musicload's offerings are in WMA unless they fall in the subset of non-DRM'd media now available -- so no iPods is right on the mark.

Re:used CDs work

[Anonymous Coward]

Why on earth you'd wanna use a microphone and speaker? Sheesh all you need is a jack => jack cable anyhow. No matter how hardd copyprotection is hard to crack all you need is a ghettoblaster and a inline on your soundcard. For what? 2-4£ you can copy anything.

Re:Apple iTunes

[geekoid]

or maybe they just don't want to breach there contract and have the labels pull all the music?

naw, must be some huge conspiracy.

If you note, the article says are pulling DRM from indie music. Apple wants to sell popular music. Two different beasts.

Steve Jobs had no reason to say he wants to get rid of DRM if it wasn't true.

I would also like to point out that any company that includes IN THE PRODUCT a way to bypass DRM really isn't a fan of DRM.

Re:These Are Desired Problems

[bberens]

I realize this tripe argument is often dragged out and people are tired of hearing it but I'm one of those users who, on occasion, will buy a license but run a warez version because the copy protection makes the product difficult to use.