Now that Apple has penned a deal to open up EMI songs, will Microsoft be next? The Times Online writes that Microsoft has hinted that it may follow the Apple model and sell EMI songs at Zune Marketplace without DRM. No deals are signed or announced yet, but an EMI spokesman said that negotiations with non-Apple vendors are ongoing.
As I've posted before, I think that the Apple/EMI deal is the first chink in the ship that will sink DRM use. Just like all those late and unlamented software copy protection schemes of the 1980's, DRM may soon be a historical footnote. Only time will tell, but I suspect that the iTunes DRM-free option will encourage a new wave of purchasers that have previously spurned the store due to DRM concerns.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-05-2007 @ 9:57PM
Emmet said...
First.
So what about Squirting (teehee)? Will that be unlimited for EMI downloads, or will the 3 plays in 3 days still apply? I'm guessing yes to the latter.
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4-05-2007 @ 10:00PM
Lima said...
Wasnt't Microsoft the first to stand up with universal stating that ipod users were pirates cause they used devices that allow DRM-free music? Don't tell me that MeTooCrosoft now is changing its brainless mind?
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4-05-2007 @ 10:10PM
Shunnabunich said...
The first...um...chink...in the ship? Either you're mixing metaphors (and wouldn't the ship then sink if you take enough bits out of its hull?) or tossing around racial slurs. An accident, though, I'm sure. :) Heehee, just being my anal self!
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4-05-2007 @ 11:24PM
Tim said...
Funny, reminded me of Microsoft's reaction to Steve's "On Music" :
“irresponsible, or at the very least naïve,” adding, “It’s like he’s on top of the mountain making pronouncements, while we’re here on the ground working with the industry to make it happen.”
Working the industry eh? They announced yet another DRM right after Steve's letter
http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/12/microsoft-announces-another-new-drm-playready/
And 2 months later they are finally going to "make it happen", only because Apple did it. I feel sorry for Microsoft, what the hell is wrong with them?!
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4-05-2007 @ 11:38PM
Kenban said...
The Zune adds DRM to ALL music files transfered using "squirting". Even if you transfer an unencrypted DRM free MP3 file it will still stop playing after 3 plays/days.
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4-06-2007 @ 12:38AM
Jon H said...
If Microsoft had been first, you just know there would have been ads in the downloaded tracks.
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4-06-2007 @ 3:01AM
Everyday Weekender said...
lets hope that this DRM crap just goes away.. i'm sick of it really. and yeah, if MS was first you know for sure they would have capitalized on it
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4-06-2007 @ 7:35AM
Spider-Man said...
Are you really saying what i hope you are saying!
VOB to iPod
http://www.vob-converter.com
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4-06-2007 @ 9:17AM
mdc said...
The thing that I'm wondering is why, other than Microsoft, online stores will use .wma anymore? Why would they say "Our music doesn't play on the iPod" when they can use .aac and say that it does play on the iPod.
I wonder of .wma's days are numbered?
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4-06-2007 @ 9:23AM
krisjones1963 said...
This isn't an Apple/EMI deal. In the announcement EMI made it clear that the opportunity to sell non-DRM is available to all its retail partners. All Microsoft and other online retailers need to do is to change their systems to enable it.
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4-06-2007 @ 10:02AM
Tim said...
@mdc: this certainly make wma (especially DRM) more irrelevant, at least out side of the handful of subscription services. Microsoft pushes wma through their PlayForSure program, the list of stores that use it can be found here (http://www.playsforsure.com/).
They basically want wma (with or without DRM) to be a dominant format, in order to lock out others like AAC or open source formats, so that they have complete control. Just look at the abysmal official support of wma on OS X or linux.
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4-06-2007 @ 3:18PM
zune man said...
Microsoft will need to offer the EMI titles with and without DRM.
I personally like DRM since I use the Zune marketplace with subscription. My EMI would have DRM.
Those who prefer to purchase would get their EMI DRM free.
Choice is good!
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4-06-2007 @ 6:05PM
ShaleX said...
I'm a cynic.. and I don't think DRM-free music tracks are going to do anything but hurt the industry. I give Kudos to EMI for being the company with the balls to take the hit to prove that People don't want to pay for stuff. I mean look at the people already complaining on this forum. It's too expensive, it should be lossless (No thank you to 26+ MB downloads for little audible difference)...
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4-07-2007 @ 1:37AM
Chris said...
LOL its not EMI looking to take a hit for the people to show they dont want to pay even if its not drm'd its just there tired of taking critisism for DRM... knowing full well that DRM can be stripped in a matter of time. I mean whats the sense of the world hating you for holding on to something only to have to find out that there just stripping the protections off anyway, or finding a way to bypass it. Personally i say its about damn time... but i still see services like zunepass or atleast evolutions of it being the final endall.
Chris | http://www.nextechnews.com
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