Feb
08
2007Is Steve Jobs For Real?
08
2007
Steve Jobs’ much-publicized rant against DRM is certainly bold and newsworthy, but is it sincere? I doubt it. Here’s why. If Steve is being honest about wishing he could sell DRM-free music, there’s a very simple way to prove it:
Actually sell DRM-free music.
Of course, Apple can’t just start selling everything DRM-free, but there are some big name artists who are open it, like The White Stripes, Willie Nelson, Moby, The Pixies. How do I know this? Because they’re already doing it, on eMusic. The albums they’re selling on eMusic are also in the iTunes Store right now. If Apple’s so certain people want to buy DRM-free music (and I’m certainly not questioning that they are), why don’t they open a special section of the iTunes store to sell a selection of DRM-free albums, and prove that point to the big labels?
Until they do that, I’m with the popular consensus that Jobs is just trying to use his Reality Distortion Field to redirect the conversation away from forcing Apple to license their FairPlay DRM system to other online music vendors.
I agree that if Jobs were really serious about DRM, iTunes would sell non-major label stuff DRM-free. Apple might argue that it’s not worth the expense to deal with both DRM and non-DRM inventory (esp. since it’s supposedly not a money-making product).
I have a somewhat related question: why is Apple being targeted for their iTMS (DRM which only works with iPods) but Microsoft isn’t being targeted for their DRM (which only works with Windows computers)? If Apple is being told they have to open iTunes files to non-iPods, doesn’t MS have to open Windows Media to non-Windows PCs?
Kieran 2/9/07 @ 9:08 amGood point Jeff, And I think your probably right but that argument reminds me of the pricing situation on iTunes.
The studios are fighting to have Apple allow a more flexible pricing structure. Newer, more popular songs would cost more and older songs less. Seems to make sense but Apple has fought it in order to keep the store simple and easy. Which I think has worked.
I think that argument is even stronger for DRM.
With that said, I do think Steve\’s (I\’ve given him enough money to be on a first name basis) statement is self serving.
John Torres 2/17/07 @ 7:25 pm