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Briefly: DRM removal call backfires; DNA visualizer

updated 11:35 am EST, Fri March 2, 2007

DRM; DNA visualizer


In brief: A digital music gathering rejects Steve Jobs' views on DRM, DNA visualization software drops in price, and Disc Makers introduces Blu-Ray tower duplicators. Apple CEO Steve Jobs' attempt to call for the removal of DRM has backfired, according to panel members at a conference yesterday. Speaking at the Digital Music Forum East conference, multiple participants in the discussion specifically criticized Jobs' open letter, calling it a "red herring" that distracted from the real issue of Apple's FairPlay copy protection shutting out other stores and device makers. Pro-DRM panellists argued that at least some form of digital rights management was needed for online sales.

Mac DNA-visualization software price reduction

OnScreen's DNA Lite Visualization software has been reduced in price by as much as 80% until "DNA Day." The software, designed to give students a thorough understanding of the three-dimensional structure of DNA, will have a single license priced at $10 until April 25th, when it will resume its prior price of $50. A ten-computer license has been discounted from $174 to $74.

Disc Makers reveal Blu-Ray duplicators

Disc Makers today revealed its first Blu-Ray compatible tower duplicators, the ReflexBlu2 and ReflexBlu4. The Blu2 can duplicate two full recordable Blu-Ray discs per hour, while the Blu4 can duplicate four discs per hour, in addition to having CD-R and DVD-R duplication capabilities. Each unit also includes a complete disc-creation software suite, USB connectivity allowing access to one drive for mastering and playback, and a 250GB hard drive, which can store up to nine full BD images. The Blu2 and Blu4 are priced at $3,000 and $5,000, respectively.


by MacNN Staff

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  1. Flying Meat

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    Joined: Jan 2007

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    03/02, 12:12pm | report spam | Reply |

    red herring

    don't think so. If these guys'll pick up the legal tab and penalties from opening the copy protection up to other vendors, then they migh have a point. They also need to address the public's trustworthiness, and the expense of ongoing developement. Otherwise, they should just shut their cake-holes. The "pro-DRM" panelists agreed that some form of DRM was needed... DUH! They're "pro-DRM".

    (can you tell I have formed an opinion on this subject? ;) )

  1. dscottbuch

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    03/02, 12:17pm | report spam | Reply |

    Their's is the red herrng

    This is such blatant politics its not even funny. And Macnn's continued sensationalizing of the headlines is pitiful. Have to agree with 'flying meat' overall. There is an 'OPEN' (meaning you can license it) DRM - Janus/playforusre which has already failed miserably. Why, because the consumers don't want it. Apple found the the right, current, balance. Jobs' letter is straight forward and on point, they just can't stand that.

  1. Rincewind

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    Joined: May 2000

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    03/02, 12:18pm | report spam | Reply |

    not backfire...

    Rather, I would call it a "not surprised". Music execs never take responsibility for anything. "CD aren't selling, must be pirates" (or maybe it's that your acts suck?). "We need DRM to stop the pirates" (the pirates are ripping from CD or even mass duplicating CDs for direct sale!).

    I mean really, do they really believe that the majority of music lovers want DRM? Do they really think the majority of us are Pirates?

    If the majority of us were pirates, then they wouldn't be a multi-billion dollar business, they'd be OUT OF BUSINESS because we'd have all gotten our music for free by now.

  1. testudo

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    03/02, 12:20pm | report spam | Reply |

    Re: red herring

    don't think so. If these guys'll pick up the legal tab and penalties from opening the copy protection up to other vendors, then they migh have a point.

    What legal tab? What penalties? You mean the ones if cracks are found? Don't believe that c*** Jobs was spewing about needing to keep Fairplay in house to keep cracks down. That's the "security through obscurity" argument. By this argument, MS would be a secure OS because no one has access to the code. Oh, wait, that's not true, is it.

    Also, MS licenses their DRM all over the place, and Fairplay has been cracked more often then WMA. So apparently either Fairplay sucks as a DRM, MS is just a great set of programmers, or that keeping control over the DRM doesn't mean its more secure.

  1. testudo

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    03/02, 12:24pm | report spam | Reply |

    Re: not backfire

    I mean really, do they really believe that the majority of music lovers want DRM? Do they really think the majority of us are Pirates?

    Sure they do! I know I love DRM, and wish I could encode all my music with DRM (you can do it with Windows, but not a Mac, talk about being behind the curve Apple!). I can't tell you how much sleep I lose at work worrying that, right now, someone could be breaking into my home, firing up my computer, and copying all my legally purchased music so they can distribute it on-line to all those thieves and pirates out there.

    h***, its so bad I'm taking 6 doses of Zoloft a day!

  1. dscottbuch

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    03/02, 12:38pm | report spam | Reply |

    A better retort

    http://news.com.com/2010-1027_3-6163766.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-5&subj=news

  1. I.P. Freely

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    Joined: May 2003

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    03/02, 12:39pm | report spam | Reply |

    re: re: red herring

    I guess the r***** woke up early today.

  1. cmoney

    Mac Enthusiast

    Joined: Sep 2000

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    03/02, 12:54pm | report spam | Reply |

    actual conversation:

    This is from a reply on Slashdot on the same article:

    Music Industry: We want DRM. Steve Jobs: You got it. Hey, it only works with iPods as well. Isn't product tying great! Music Industry: Can we have more control over our product? Steve Jobs: Nope. Music Industry: Oh. Uhm... We'll leave Steve Jobs: No you won't. Music Industry: Oh. Ummm can you open up Fairplay. This will mean there's some competition and we can afford to ditch you. Steve Jobs:: Nope. Why would I ever do that? Music Industry: We'll make you look like the bad guy. Steve Jobs: You can try. I made downloadable music viable, produce the gadget all the cool kids want and I don't sue children and old ladies. Not only that, but I can plausibly blame all your troubles on you.

  1. cmoney

    Mac Enthusiast

    Joined: Sep 2000

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    03/02, 12:55pm | report spam | Reply |

    Actual Conversation

    Let's try that again:

    Music Industry: We want DRM.

    Steve Jobs: You got it. Hey, it only works with iPods as well. Isn't product tying great!

    Music Industry: Can we have more control over our product?

    Steve Jobs: Nope.

    Music Industry: Oh. Uhm... We'll leave

    Steve Jobs: No you won't.

    Music Industry: Oh. Ummm can you open up Fairplay. This will mean there's some competition and we can afford to ditch you.

    Steve Jobs:: Nope. Why would I ever do that?

    Music Industry: We'll make you look like the bad guy.

    Steve Jobs: You can try. I made downloadable music viable, produce the gadget all the cool kids want and I don't sue children and old ladies. Not only that, but I can plausibly blame all your troubles on you.

  1. eldarkus

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    Joined: Feb 2004

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    03/02, 12:57pm | report spam | Reply |

    Re: red herring

    "By this argument, MS would be a secure OS because no one has access to the code."

    But cracking an OS and cracking a DRM file are 2 different things. And youre wrong... Win2k & NT code was leaked in 2004.

    And how many cracks are available for Fairplay under iTunes 6 & 7? zero.... So the question isnt how many times it's been cracked, but rather how long it's stays cracked.

    And security thru obscurity is not the best method, but it does work quite well. The more people who have access to the code, the more possibilities it will leak. Thats just common sense. And who knows.. Maybe MS does have better programmers. but apparently they are only better at DRM.. :)

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