Steve Jobs suggests a solution to the DRM music equation

Posted By: JD Lewin | Feb 7th, 2007 @ 4:47 PM

At the Mix n' Mash event in Redmond last year, Bill Gates acknowledged the problems with the DRM employed with digital music, and that there is no easy solution. Now in a rare release that has been described by our trusted tipster as the, "best blog platform ever..." Steve Jobs has published his Thoughts on Music. The ten minute read addresses the current state of digital music across the entire market and respectfully considers all the players. While we expect people to critique his argument along the same stale lines (can't we all just get along?), the more important issue that Steve raises is about how two-faced the music companies are: "In 2006, under 2 billion DRM-protected songs were sold worldwide by online stores, while over 20 billion songs were sold completely DRM-free and unprotected on CDs by the music companies themselves." We're certainly pleased to have first Bill and now Steve, both people who hold considerable sway over this issue, helping the market understand where they should really focus their displeasure.

Tags: DRM, music, software

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djscratchex

I've been having this discussion with friends and fellow dj's and it's quite an interesting topic. To me, this is the final nail in the coffin for DRM. The CEO of the world’s leading digital music retail store is essentially calling for the end of DRM. Let’s explore why DRM can’t be around much longer…

1) DRM is easily circumvented.

There is virtually no way to create encrypted security that can’t be reverse engineered given enough time. In fact, there aren’t any forms of DRM that can’t be circumvented. So what is REALLY the point!? Even Billboard Magazine covered this story

2) Consumers don’t want DRM:

I don’t want to PAY for a song, then have you tell me how many times I can use it! Consumers shouldn’t be treated like criminals. We believe that if you offer quality music at a fair price, people WILL pay the nominal fee to get it. Wired recently wrote an article on this very subject

3) EMI is offering songs DRM free:

EMI is one of the big boys and they are even offering songs in DRM free format …

4) Most of the major labels are reconsidering DRM:

In fact, most of the majors are being forced to reconsider DRM. I think it’s only a matter of time before they will see the light.

5) Emusic operates successfully DRM free

Emusic is 2nd only to iTunes and they have been operating DRM free, quite successfully, for some time now. Europe has been putting pressure on iTunes to be DRM free and we think it’s only a matter of time before it happens. Especially after reading Steve’s letter above.

Still aren’t convinced DRM free is the way to go? Have a gander at this great article: http://www.linuxjournal.com/node/1000073

Jesse

In reply to djscratchex

#Feb 7th, 2007 @ 9:16 PM

I'd love to read more about EMI's DRM-free policies and any info on the reconsidering of DRM by the labels. If you've got links to these, please feel free to post them!