France backs down on iTunes DRM stance

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iPod not monopoly; iTunes (almost) is. Why DRM = extortion

>iTunes will only work on an iPod, however ANY online music store tunes will work on an iPod...you DO NOT have to use iTunes if you have an iPod. You aren't stuck with having to use iTunes at all.

Well, the problem here is that, as you said, you can only play iTunes downloads on iTunes player or iPod, AND Apple iTunes does have a near monopoly on the online pop music market, at least in the US. Yes, other methods of downloading music online exist, but generally they're either distributing independent music by artists not contracted with a member of the RIAA, or they're not legal.

Therefore, most downloaded music the general public may wish to listen to while on the go must be played on an iPod.

It's not that most other services or ripped CD's will play on the iPod too, they'll also play on my generic MP3 players. It's that legally downloaded popular music can only be played on an iPod. THAT is the monopolizing situation. That is why DRM is evil and that is why no government who supports DRM should be backing down on legislation that would make other companies at least share their DRM formats to allow for competition.

France, at least has the image of, is very anti-pirate and supportive of anti-piracy legislation and technology, so I'm not surprised by their support of DRM. I feel though that because of their highly public stance, they were too easily pushed around by Apple calling the, i guess I'll call it an anti-proprietary clause, "state sponsored piracy." Forcing you to buy their hardware is not preventing piracy, it's extortion. Pirates care not for legality and will defeat the DRM and listen to the media on any medium they choose; this only serves to extort law abiding citizens, in any nation.

Posted by: D-cat   Posted on: 05/03/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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