04 February 2007
Jobs hates DRM/iTunes + Beatles/WWDC
07/02/07 09:54 Filed in: News
Yesterday Steve Jobs wrote an open letter to the world titled "Thoughts on Music" in which he discusses the current state of digital music and DRM. He writes about people claiming they have this hold on the entire industry because of Apple's own DRM called FairPlay. Steve defines three possible ways how to deal with this: Keep going as is, the system works and just the same, others are doing it as well; Open FairPlay, which would force them to reveal how FairPlay is implemented in eventually leak secrets allowing hackers the ability to crack the DRM; and lastly is to remove any DRM from all files in which any player could play the file without restriction.
- Many have already commented on this piece praising Jobs for finally admitting that DRM is a failure and the industry would be wise to accept that. He notes that Europe in particular is accusing Apple of illegal practices because iTunes files will only play on iPod in which Jobs says go talk to the RIAA, it's not my problem. Read the full article, it is an amazing read.
- Also big news is Apple Inc. & The Beatles' Apple Corps have come to an agreement. This new agreement replaces the old agreement from 1991. Apple Inc. now owns all trademarks related to "Apple" and will license back certain trademarks back to Apple Corps. Apple Inc will continue to use the iTunes name and logo. In a nutshell, Apple Inc has become so known and recognized as a brand, and music company that Apple Corps has no recourse but to accept the fact that they cannot enforce they name any longer. It was probably for the best they come to an agreement.
- June 11-15 is the Apple WWDC Conference in San Francisco, CA. Be prepared for a Leopard release or at least announcement of a release.
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