Over at the Guardian there's an interesting article on How Apple is Changing DRM. While there's not a lot that's new here, it does usefully cover what has happened over the last few years with Digital Rights Management and how DRM has basically come to bite the record companies in the, um, keister. Way back when the iTunes (Music) Store started, the record companies were clamoring for DRM to protect against Napster and other P2P sharing, and Apple obligingly complied with FairPlay. Over time, as the iPod became the portable device of choice, the record companies basically found themselves beholden to Apple, painted into a corner by that self-same DRM. Now they're giving up DRM on services like Amazon MP3 precisely to get access to the iPod without Apple.
The question for the future of DRM is whether subscription models like Rhapsody will take off and whether a hitherto reluctant Apple might embrace the subscription model as a response to the rise of other DRM-free download stores. In any case the article is worth a read for anybody interested in the future of digital media.
[via Digg]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-18-2008 @ 12:06PM
Chris G. said...
I want to know when iTunes Plus is actually going to have music from more then a couple record labels. The Amazon MP3 Store is running circles around iTunes Plus right now.
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5-18-2008 @ 12:33PM
NAPS Shareholder said...
Good question. I hope you are enjoying the 400,000 shares the board took from me and all other shareholders at Napster in order to pay you for all the shareholder value you created for us last year, Mr. Gorog.
5-18-2008 @ 12:07PM
a ham sandwich said...
down with drm!
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5-18-2008 @ 1:26PM
Felipe Alfaro Solana said...
I don't about others, but I do not care about subscription services: I want to own my music. I don't want to pay money to get the right to listen to my music collection. What happens if the subscription company goes out of business? What if they turn mad and decide to increase the cost of my subscription?
It's all about freedom. I prefer to pay more money but keep the ownership of my files.
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5-19-2008 @ 1:03PM
RobK said...
Felipe you do NOT own your music with iTunes DRM!! If Apple goes out of business or shuts down iTunes, then you will not be able to play ANY of your DRMed iTunes music on any new computer (or on any OLD computer where you reinstalled Windows or Mac OS X).
Why? Well, with a new computer (or with an old computer where you reinstalled the OS), iTunes needs to authorize your iTunes account with the iTunes servers. If those servers go down or disappear, then you are up the creek without a paddle. You will not be able to play ANY of your DRM'ed music you bought from Apple.
(This recently happened to users who thought they "bought" music from another on-line music store..)
All DRM (including Apple iTunes DRM) sucks. It is best to buy DRM free music (e.g. CD's or MP3's from Amazon.com).
Or strip the DRM from the Apple DRM'ed tracks if your local law permits it. Google "QTFairuse6 or Reqium on the torrents).
5-18-2008 @ 1:31PM
harrywolf said...
The Guardian article is a re-hash of old news (typical UK newspaper).
One 'analyst' from Jupiter predicts the future - I was not impressed.
The future of DRM, digital music, etc. does not exist until it gets here, and trying to find the future out of the present is a fruitless task.
Its becoming clearer by the day that the record companies exaggerated the effects of Piracy, and we had yet another (yawn) 'War on (enter whatever it is you think is destroying western civilisation this week)'.
Reality suggest that a large percentage (75%?) of recorded music is ALREADY in the public domain in the form of record collections, parents sharing music collections with kids, friends, relatives, etc. etc
The record companies have already SOLD this music many times over, and naturally, mining other peoples record collections is easy and free.
Digital music is simply a recording technique - but one that is available to anyone with a computer.
New music isnt as prolific as the old music was, and there is a finite limit to the number of chord/notes variations that can be turned into a catchy tune.
Perhaps the music business is going to simply fade and die, for the most part?
I cant predict the future, but the evidence says that Warner, EMI, Sony Universal et al are doomed to a slow death.
Its only going to take one company to set up a recording deal with Apple and start selling new music direct through iTunes to begin an avalanche that will signal the end of record companies.
Hey, dont sweat it, record execs! I hear that Starbux is hiring.
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5-18-2008 @ 1:32PM
harrywolf said...
Time for an edit preference before posting at TUAW.....
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5-18-2008 @ 5:38PM
Jackster said...
Man, I wish Amazon MP3 would come out in the UK soon. I'm tired of iTunes and all the DRM crapola
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5-18-2008 @ 7:04PM
MeatyPi said...
I just DRM'd in my pants.
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