[BNM] Steve Jobs on DRM

[Ant]

> >
>> I think that's why he suggested removing DRM on dowloads wasn't it?
>
>
> Totally, but my point is, I think he knew it is a pipe-dream. He gets to
> look like a progressive CEO without rocking too many boats...

Indeed.

As other have commented, if Jobs is so anti-DRM, as single biggest 
shareholder in Pixar and Disney, why doesn't he start by allowing their 
movies to be downloaded DRM-free (or at least lobbying for it!)? Why not 
allow *optional* DRM for labels that sign up with iTunes Music Store rather 
than forcing everyone into the same manacle?

(Now *that's* putting your money where your mouth is)

Yup, thought not. It's very easy, as BP said, to be a CEO or Director with 
"vision" - you have a permanent get out clause - "Yeah, we looked into that, 
but it's too expensive / undevelopable / just not possible right now." And 
everyone goes back to sleep...

Apple are under fire from both sides now. The more progressive European 
governments smell a rat, and most major music & (more importantly) film 
companies want Apple to keep selling rats, but under their terms. Jobs, as 
always, tries to be the everyman - "Hey, they forced us to develop DRM, use 
it and totally lock it down to outside developers - we had to, otherwise we 
couldn't have made any money!" As usual, this has nothing to do with the 
end-user experience, and everything to do with the benjamins. This is just 
the latest bit of waffle in a huge ongoing IP power struggle.

I totally agree with most of Barry's points, but DRM removal is *not* a pipe 
dream. I'm optimistic. There is no winning alternative. Peer to peer usage 
is still rising, as more and more customers get frustrated every day and 
look for alternatives . More and more labels will get frustrated with their 
deals with Apple, Microsoft, et al, and I believe will finally start 
investing in decent alternatives, rather than pie-in-the-sky ideas like 
Spiral Frog. Apple have no choice but to be in favour of an open market, 
because that's what will end up happening. Only the longer they all leave it 
while they argue, the more devalued the end product will be - and it's 
already suffering badly.

Hey ho.

A