Apple iTunes hits trouble in Europe

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juha

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#11504 27-Jan-2007 10:26

DRM ruled illegal in Norway, and other countries demand Apple make changes to ensure the files are compatible with other media players.

Juha

grant_k

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#59001 27-Jan-2007 10:51

Unfortunately it seems you can't view the article without registering which I can't really be bothered with, but this is extremely interesting.

Good on the Norwegians for challenging the DRM juggernaut. If this idea gains enough momentum, it could force the Recording Industry to think again.

juha

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#59003 27-Jan-2007 10:55

Changed the URL to point to Ipodobserver, which doesn't require registration.

Juha

grant_k

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#59006 27-Jan-2007 11:23

Cheers Juha. It's an interesting article and there are also some thought-provoking comments from various people to follow (as well as a few nutters of course).

It will be interesting how this plays out:

Will Apple just shut their iTunes store in Norway and other countries which pass similar legislation?

Or will the Recording Industry get real so we don't have to keep burning DRM'ed files to CDs and ripping them back into unprotected MP3s?

cokemaster

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#59008 27-Jan-2007 11:34

I'd rather like to see DRM outlawed myself - However it is an unrealistic goal even if its a personal ones.

Media companies are more and more willing to demand, implement these tougher regrimes that really don't do anything but hinder the end (l)user.

Taking the argument from pro gun groups - with gun control, the people committing the crimes still have guns. The same applies here.

Slashdot did make some interesting points about competiting DRM:

Plays for sure only works on Windows. Why isn't that punished too? Its forcing consumers to be locked into a Windows solution which is similar to the lock in for Ipods.

Zune DRM only works with Zune (though no music store in Europe yet)

Sony ATRACX or whatever its called only works with Sony products... isn't this the same as Apples Fairplay?

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juha

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#59009 27-Jan-2007 11:37

It may be that the authorities are going after the most popular service first - which makes sense.

Juha

grant_k

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#59010 27-Jan-2007 11:40

Yeah, some good points there Cokemaster.

I have to agree with you -- it does seem as though Apple have been singled out by the Norwegian Government, when in fact there are plenty of other "Lock-In" offenders out there.

I guess Apple is the biggest, with the best marketing machine so they are attacking the tall poppy first...

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alasta

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#59014 27-Jan-2007 12:04

If consumers are not willing to commit themselves to listening to their music on a particular device, then they will opt not to use the service and Apple will have to rethink their distribution model. This is known as a free market; something that Norweigian authorities appear to be unfamiliar with.

I seem to recall French authorities proposing similar action against Apple about a year ago, and at the time it was believed that if the outcome were not favourable to Apple, then the French iTunes Music Store would be shut down. However, with several European countries now thinking along the same lines, it seems that simply pulling out of all of these markets is not going to be a feasible solution.

This whole thing would be positive it it resulted in the demise of DRM altogether but this is unlikely to happen. The recording industry have always been very arrogant with regard to DRM, and I don't believe that Norweigan authorities taking a law suit against Apple would provide the recording industry with an incentive to relax their attitude. Ultimately, Apple will probably have to open up Fairplay.

bradstewart

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#59016 27-Jan-2007 12:37

I believe that it will only take one thing to get rid of DRM: Microsoft. If they say no we will not put DRM controls into our operating system then the media industries will have to have a good look at their model. Microsoft and also Apple really hold the key to the DRM saga and it is up to them to act in a way thats good for the consumer and not protect the RIAA and co. If they did that there will be no choice but to continue music sales without DRM, it's not like they can say no more internet distribution. Imagine the how much revenue would be hit. In fact I believe they would make more money by removing DRM from media.

Just my thoughts on it anyway.

grant_k

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#59018 27-Jan-2007 12:52

bradstewart: ...In fact I believe they would make more money by removing DRM from media.

Yep, I agree with you 100%. A lot of people aren't willing to put up with the restrictions imposed by DRM so they don't buy music from legal download sites.

Personally, I find it worth the bother because it saves buying a lot of CDs only to find that 80 - 90% of the tracks are crap.

Examples, two of my favourite bands: U2 and Crowded House

U2's recent albums have been of inconsistent quality to say the least:

4 good tracks on "How to dismantle an atomic bomb"
1 good track on "Achtung baby"

Crowded House have a lot of good songs, but they are thinly spread among a large number of albums:

3 good tracks on "Temple of low men"
4 good tracks on "Together alone"

A more recent example is X&Y from Coldplay which has just 2 good tracks in my opinion.

Total outlay for 14 tracks: $24.50 instead of buying 5 CDs at average $25 each = $125.

As long as DRM doesn't totally cripple the way I am able to listen to my music, I will continue to buy it in this way, but if they make it even more restrictive, I will probably rethink my approach.

alasta

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#59020 27-Jan-2007 13:27

bradstewart: I believe that it will only take one thing to get rid of DRM: Microsoft. If they say no we will not put DRM controls into our operating system then the media industries will have to have a good look at their model. Microsoft and also Apple really hold the key to the DRM saga and it is up to them to act in a way thats good for the consumer and not protect the RIAA and co. If they did that there will be no choice but to continue music sales without DRM, it's not like they can say no more internet distribution.

You're correct to the extent that it would be irrational for the recording industry to totally refuse to allow legitmate downloads if DRM were to be outlawed. After all, this response would drive people towards illegal peer-to-peer downloads.

Unfortunately, it has been proven time and time again that the recording industry thinks irrationally. No matter how crazy it seems to suddenly disallow legitimate paid music downloads and force honest music fans to go back to buying CDs, I believe that the recording industry could very well make it happen. That must be a scary proposition for Microsoft and Apple.