Apple's Jobs calls for DRM-free world

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Agree, but

I think there's a fourth alternative: any song purchased on iTunes be available for free for the same person on any other Internet music store that sells it. And vice-versa.
In theory, if I buy a song from iTunes I should be able to play it on any number of iPods. In practice this doesn't work, though maybe it should; anyway, as it is now it can be played on up to 5 iPods if I'm not mistaken. This should be extended to other devices such that it's possible to play it on 5 devices no matter of what type. Say I purchase an EMI song from iTunes, I should be able to choose to get for instance 2 copies from iTunes for 2 iPods (whith their own DRM) and 3 copies for another 3 devices, each with its own DRM and from its own store. Data should be stored centrally at EMI about what copies I have and for what type of devices / DRMs. It only involves Internet interoperability between major music sellers, it doesn't require DRM cross-licensing.
Of course, for this to be possible EMI should trust all said DRM systems for all vendors. It becomes a problem of DRM system quality / trust, it's not a problem of interoperability. EMI may choose not to trust a certain store / DRM and not sell music on it. But if they do sell a title on 2 music stores, any song purchased on one of them should be available too on the other one in these conditions IMO.

That said, I also believe DRM is more trouble than it's worth and getting rid of it altogether and relying only on people's honesty plus ease of use of the payed service would in the end be more benefical globally. At 99 cents a song it's hard to imagine it wouldn't work.

Posted by: vladsim   Posted on: 02/08/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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