BPI urges Apple to open iTunes DRM
updated 05:50 pm EDT, Wed June 7, 2006
BPI calls for open iTunes
Apple's iTunes Music Store is drawing more fire overseas. The British Phonographic Institute has asked Apple to make its iTunes DRM (Digital Rights Management) compatible with other music players, according to The Register. The request comes just one day after a consumer advocate group won a preliminary ruling that could force the Cupertino-based company to change its iTunes terms of service in Norway. "We will not sue you for filling your iPod with music you have bought yourself," said BPI Chairman Peter Jamieson. "Traditionally the recording industry has turned a blind eye to private copying and has used the strength of the law to pursue commercial pirates."
Roots in France
France earlier this year began the trend when it strove to pass a law that would force Apple to open its FairPlay DRM to competitors. After the French draft law surfaced, the U.S. Government spoke out, backing Apple in its right to maintain a closed iPod/iTunes ecosystem. This year in mid-March, word came that the proposal -- which would have forced iTunes to allow customers to download songs onto devices other than Apple's iPod -- was discussed but not included in the bill, signalling a narrow escape for Apple's online digital music storefront.
wtf!?
06/07, 06:27pm reply
As much as I'd like to see this happen, there are thousands upon thousands of companies with closed formats. Why should Apple share?
Horsepoo!!!
Banned
Joined: Jun 2003
And another thing...
06/07, 06:29pm reply
Opening the DRM is a one-sided move...only competitors benefit. What will Apple get? More song downloads? That market is already on razor thin margins...Apple makes money off hardware, always has...
...should they also open up OS X for it to work on PCs?
h**** no.
BPI, don't make me insert my steel-toe boot up your a**.
Horsepoo!!!
Banned
Joined: Jun 2003
it's not that simple
06/07, 07:25pm reply
All that would do is force Apple to begin licensing the DRM to other player makers at a reasonable price. It would not require other player manufacturers to license it.
brinj
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
PlaysForSure
06/08, 07:19am reply
BPI,
Hey, what about Microsoft and its closed DRM, which only PlaysForSure on Windows?!
You need to be fair on this.
DudeMac
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2002
Whining Europeans
06/08, 08:27am reply
They whined for months and months to get ITMS and this is what we get in return? s**** Europe.
jasong
Mac Elite
Joined: Mar 2000
Hey Jasong...
06/08, 09:10am reply
No need for the transatlantic diatribes, Jasong! This has nothing do to with being european. I'm American...don't sound like the a** you hopefully are not.
Cec
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006