DRM Created a lot of controversy.
First, you have the catalyst; Steve Jobs creates an open letter advocating the removal of DRM requirement from the songs sold on iTunes. Then the RIAA responded with a complete misunderstanding of Jobs’s original proposal. Now the flaming as started.
We have the discussion from Michael Robertson, which I responded to pretty much disagreeing with most of what he said. Now we have another mud slinger, Warner Music themselves.
The CEO of Warner Music, Edgar Bronfman, has flat out rejected Steve Jobs’s request to remove DRM calling Jobs’s proposal “without logic and without merit.” Poor Edgar, completely unaware what of the hole he’s digging himself into.
On other side of the street, however, we have EMI who appears to be understanding the changing of age. There is now a rumor going around, on behalf of USA Today, saying that EMI is in discussions to remove DRM from music they sell. It’s hard to see how solid these are, but if it is indeed true, it is a good step in the right direction.
It’ll be interesting to see what comes of this. I’m sure throughout this week there will be plenty more discussions on the matter. In the mean time, check out a couple more ideas on the subject. One being from Bennett Lencoff offering a new proposal, while embracing the DRM-free model. Other being Phil Elmer-DeWitt combining the thoughts of the different sides after the initial open letter post.
