Thoughts on the licensing and distribution of music as posed by Steve Jobs

[sunvalleylaw]

Happy Friday! Steve Jobs, of Apple, owner/operator of iTunes, submitted a discussion at the link below regarding sales/distribution of music, and protection of that music by the Digital Rights Management system (DRM). Mr. Jobs just about calls on what he calls the "big four" music companies to join in abolishing DRMs in favor of distributing music in completely open licensable formats. He says Apple would do it, and ponders the alternatives, pluses and minuses. Kind of interesting.

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic/

Anyone care to discuss?

 

[marnold]

I saw on Slashdot that EMI is considering doing this very thing. It sounds like the main reason they are considering it is to cut Apple out of the deal altogether. Either way, the sooner DRM dies, the better.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I'll have to search for that and check it out tonight. Jobs said Apple would gladly sell DRMless music if allowed by the agreements with the recording industry. Sounds interesting.

 

[Myles]

I saw on Slashdot that EMI is considering doing this very thing. It sounds like the main reason they are considering it is to cut Apple out of the deal altogether. Either way, the sooner DRM dies, the better.

Sounds like they are getting greedy. Although I agree getting rid of DRM would be nice.

 

[NPauly]

Slahdot!! Cool!!

I saw on Slashdot ...

I have been an avid reader of Slashdot.org since it first appeared, it's nice to see that I'm not the only TheFret.net geek. Slashdot.org, really is news for nerds, aka, the stuff that matters ...

Sounds like they are getting greedy.

Sounds like? More like have always been and that's why were currently in this DRM mess ...

Down with DRM! Up with open licenses!! :R :R :R

 

[sunvalleylaw]

apple to sell DRMless music!

http://www.thenewstribune.com/24hour/entertainment/story/3590146p-12854415c.html

Follow up to the above, EMI and Apple are apparently moving forward.

EDIT: more details here:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/04/02itunes.html
Regular songs with encryption at the same .99, and higher audio quality DRM less songs for an extra .30.