How many nails does the DRM coffin need?
by Ruth Suehle
Web radio had a small triumph this week in the royalty cap agreement between the music industry’s Sound Exchange and the Digital Media Association (DiMA). The agreement doesn’t make everything sunshine and roses for the webcasters, but a war has to be won by battles.
Also of note in the agreement was the elimination of Digital Rights Management (DRM) from this part of the discussion.
On the bright side, it doesn’t appear as if DRM is part of the terms this time around. Previously, SoundExchange stated that webcasters who agree to the deal must actively “work to stop users from engaging in 'streamripping'." This began a war of words between the Digital Media Association (DiMA) and SoundExchange, with DiMA accusing SoundExchange of using rate negotiations to push mandatory DRM. SoundExchange fired back, saying that DiMA only continues to spread misinformation about its requests. Earlier this month, however, two senators warned SoundExchange not to push DRM in its negotiations.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
DRM should die a thousand deaths and then some. It is the legacy of an antiquated, selfish mindset that is just stuck in the mud. It drags everyone down just so a few spoiled brats can make a few dollars more to to waste on their good times.
While we’re on the subject, the RIAA should go down the drain along with DRM too. Then maybe they’ll learn how to respect the rights of others. In the meantime, I guess we cabn’t expect anything decent from these money-grubbers.