Calling Apple's DRM bluff

<p>Another reason this article is short-sighted is: d'you really think that the major labels would allow DRM-less music from any download store?</p> <p>Hint: No.</p> <p>What Apple believes here is irrelevent. Ditch the DRM, you lose the majority of your sales because the media is pulled. To put on my tinfoil hat, it wouldn't surprise me if the labels are pulling some strings for this to happen to try and weaken Apple's position in online music sales.</p>

Posted by: Luquado 28 Mar 2006

<p>Bullshit, Bullshit & more Bullshit. You don't need an iPod to use iTunes & you don't need to buy songs from iTunes to use an iPod or iTunes.<br /> What is it with you ass kissing Wintel toadies. What makes WMA different. If you don't like what Apple has to offer go elsewhere. After all you have the illusion of choice all being controlled by MS.<br /> If you do buy songs from iTunes simply burn the songs to CD. Reencode in itunes to MP3 & put them on any fricking MS device (because that's what they really are) that you want to use. The DRM will be stripped. Tell me which of the other business models is more flexible than iTunes.<br /> With the reasoning that is going on here the same reasoning should be applied to all devices. I should be able to play xbox games on my Sony Playstation & use PC applications on any platform. Ms should be forced to allow other platforms to run there software. After all they have had a huge marketshare for much longer than 2 years. When that happens you have a case. Otherwise stop whining like a bunch of little bitches that can't compete on their own merit. Don't want it don't buy it or buy something else. Simple.</p> <p><a href="http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/opinion_vivendi_and_the_hypocrisy_of_frances_legislation/"><a href="http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/opinion_vivendi_and_the_hypocrisy_of_frances_legislation/">http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.php/archive/opinion_vivendi_and_the_hypocrisy_of_frances_legislation/</a></a></p>

Posted by: Joe S. 28 Mar 2006

<p>Before you posted, you should've read on the vnunet.com site the analysis of the Gartner analysts? <a href="http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2152812/french-drm-ruling-spark"><a href="http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2152812/french-drm-ruling-spark">http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2152812/french-drm-ruling-spark</a></a> For once, they seem to have got it right.</p> <p>Apple's system gives you freedom to choose from Apple, CDs, and other MP3 download sites. MS's system gives you freedom to choose from MS, CDs, hundreds of download stores, and hundreds of players. If you want more freedom than what Apple gives you, buy something else.</p> <p>Interoperability is not the solution to DRM. If you don't like DRM (and I don't), work to get rid of it, but don't settle for a half-assed solution like interoperability where those who invested in building a DRM system (US companies) lose, consumers lose (don't believe this, just watch, it'll happen), and only French companies win.</p>

Posted by: Mark 27 Mar 2006

<p>Apple did not say it would defend its DMR. It instead said it thought the French law would result in more piracy. Also, it said the law would likely benefit Apple because it would drive more iPod sales. </p> <p>Very little music on iPods are downloaded. Apple makes very little money on iTunes. Accordingly, it is doubtful it cares that much about the DMR. Instead, it cares about the end user's experience, just like it does with its computers. </p> <p>If Apple controls the whole system, the user experience is likley to be better. That is a valid argument. If Apple opens the system, Apple is now forced to provide service for songs gathered elseplace. Moreover, any bad exerience from third party music will likely be attributed to Apple, not the other company providing the music. </p> <p>The French law could be a good one for consumers in principal. The problem is consumers really are not demanding inteoperability. Instead, Apple's competition is using that as an argument to try an gain some leverage against Apple. That simply is not fair. </p> <p>Moreover, the law is not comsistent. It is not like the French are demanding that software developers make sure their software runs on different platforms. Why is music so special?</p>

Posted by: Terrin 27 Mar 2006

<p>You also should note that the quote from Jobs (widely being taken out of context) was about the 'Rip, Mix, Burn' conflict - he was defending the legal right to transfer CD recordings to any other media, which was being opposed tooth and nail by the RIAA and record labels. That battle was about basic usage rights, not brand loyalty and inconvenience. An iTunes song can legally be burned to CD and then moved anywhere you want to put it: other devices, home stereo, other computers, whatever. At the time of that quote, the RIAA wanted to make it illegal to move CD at all. There's a bit of a difference there. I still think DRM is wrong, but keep the argument fair.</p>

Posted by: MonkeyT 27 Mar 2006

<p>I can use my itunes on any device that I own now you dope. All I need to do is burn them to CD and reimport. Small price to pay to satisfy the record labels. iTunes is absolutely awesome. Anyone that tries to mess with that model is absolutely insane. Songbird sucks. It has nobody backing them. Microsoft puts out crap and it wouldn't shock me if they were behind the french thing. Easy to pay off people in europe you know. Apple has a great thing and we should get behind it and dare others to compete. If there were something better I would look at it but it would need to be really good and I doubt there are better innovators than Apple right now. ipod rocks... itunes rocks... Apple rocks..... Nice to be a switcher!</p>

Posted by: Brad 27 Mar 2006

<p>The article you *should* have written is about how Microsoft is denying Mac users WMA (the more popular format due to Windows market share) interoperability. Remember iTunes runs on Mac OS and Windows too. Don't try to bitch about iTunes interoperability when Microsoft themselves makes sure WMA won't play on both Windows and Macs. You expect Apple to play by some different rules? I call bullshit.</p>

Posted by: monoclast 27 Mar 2006

<p>For better or worse, there are only a few ways to legally acquire music/video for your iPod or other MP3 player:</p> <p>1. Purchase a CD/DVD and rip the contents to your player<br /> 2. Use an authorized download service that wraps their content in a proprietary DRM (either Apple's or Microsoft's)<br /> 3. Use an independent music provider that doesn't wrap it's content in DRM, but doesn't have the music you want.</p> <p>Millions use #1. Billions use #2. Hundreds of thousands use #3.</p> <p>The French, apparently unhappy that an innovative American company is so popular in France, have decided to engage in piracy. If real property rather than intellectual property were at stake, the French move would be considered an act of war.</p> <p>Of course, it might help the competition to share technology, but why should Apple do that? If you build a better mousetrap, you shouldn't have to share the design with everyone else.</p> <p>The French can pretend this is about competition, but it's not. If the French can steal Apple's property in this way, it will cost U.S. shareholders and workers billions.</p>

Posted by: Dru Richman 27 Mar 2006

<p>You want interoperability? Buy a CD. You can use it with whatever you want.</p>

Posted by: Obvious 27 Mar 2006