Thoughts on Music

02/06/2007

Today Steve Jobs released a letter discussing his assessment on the current standing of selling music online and Apple's DRM (Digital Rights Managed).

This marks the first response from Apple regarding why they've chosen not to open their DRM - FairPlay - to other companies for use with their respective software and media players. Many have criticized Apple for unfairly withholding their technology to maintain a monopoly on digital music.

Clearly this is going to be an ongoing debate, but Jobs offered a somewhat interesting point of view on managed music, claiming that he would prefer it if DRM would go away completely.

Obviously responding to the criticism Jobs wrote:

"Much of the concern over DRM systems has arisen in European countries. Perhaps those unhappy with the current situation should redirect their energies towards persuading the music companies to sell their music DRM-free. For Europeans, two and a half of the big four music companies are located right in their backyard. The largest, Universal, is 100% owned by Vivendi, a French company. EMI is a British company, and Sony BMG is 50% owned by Bertelsmann, a German company. Convincing them to license their music to Apple and others DRM-free will create a truly interoperable music marketplace. Apple will embrace this wholeheartedly."

Related Link

www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic/

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