SDMI: The Music Industry Strikes Back

phred writes "The music industry is fighting back by finalizing its Secure Digital Music Initiative says this story. The spec is due to be ratified at a meeting on July 7. In the first phase MP3 and other formats would be playable on devices following the SDMI spec. In phase two, a "pirate screening" process will prevent copying a clone of a protected recording, a la the not-lamented SCMS format for CD and DAT. " The RIAA claims that they are trying to protect artists' copyrights, while others, such as the EFF, are stating that the RIAA is merely trying to keep a stranglehold on distribution channels, and hence, their own bucks.