A Great Day for Digital Music Fans
Hot off the press, Sony BMG plans to drop DRM protections! Amazon will be the first to offer DRM-free music from all four of the major labels.
DRM is the stupid policy that prohibited digital music from being used in a free manner. That is to say, songs purchased on iTunes could only be played with an iPod, and songs purchased from wal-mart couldn’t be burned to a CD, etc.
“DRM tends to punish the innocent more than the guilty,” says Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, a technology research company. “It was hurting folks who were trying to follow the rules more than the folks who were pirating the music.”
Soon I will be able to purchase any song, and enjoy it any way I want. On my iPod, from my desktop, steamed to my D-Link MediaLounge, etc.
Along with this announcement is that fact that Amazon is pushing it’s way in front of iTunes, as recording lables have become increasingly frustrated with Steve Jobs and his strong-arming techniques. Apple is now forced to sit out and wait, reaping some of what it has sown. Of course it won’t be long before Apple has the same agreements with the major four labels – they just have to play second fiddle for once.
“Soon I will be able to purchase any song, and enjoy it any way I want.”
That would be nice huh, we’ll see what happens. The RIAA has declared that it’s illegal to copy a CD that you own, onto your personal computer for personal use. I would assume that would include transferring a digital purchase between computers as well. You can read about it here. I think it’s ridiculous and I don’t see how they could win that argument.
I always check Amazon’s download store first these days, it’s usually cheaper and no DRM makes me happy.
Steven,
I’ve been following that story closely, and it looks like the Washington Post was initially wrong with that report – claiming Howell was being sued for making personal copies. Actually, he is being sued for distribution. The RIAA just decided to go ahead and include that language in the suit, I’m sure thinking “what the heck, it doesn’t hurt to put it in there”. Yes, they have said it’s illegal, but there is pretty good legal precedent for making personal copies, as the article goes on to explain. I wouldn’t be too worried about that part.
As long as we stay away from distribution networks and piracy, I’m pretty confident the consumer will win this battle and enjoy more freedoms in 2008 than we’ve experienced so far (legally, that is).
Tyson,
I also agree that this is a great day. The drm however was not from Jobs, but from the music Industry. Jobs has tried to get them to dump for years. Also itunes syncs with other players than the ipod. itunes could already be shared with 5 computers that you might own. Read this:
http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic/
No need to hate on apple for things that are not true. That will free everyone up for real hate of apple!
Yes, I didn’t mean to come across as an Apple-hater. I like Apple, iTunes, iPod, iShoes, iChairs and everything else. DRM is definitely from the labels, and Apple has been against it from the beginning.
You left out my favorite “i”…as my kids call me… iTim
Actually, his kids call him iApplejunkie, but iTim is easier to say.