DRM must GO! And fast…..

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DRM must GO! And fast…..

Posted by Simon Salvin on 23. Jun 2007 on Technology

Ever heard of DRM? If you like music, MP3 players and downloading then you probably have, but if you haven’t then there may be a shock coming your way when you want to play that favourite song or album!

DRM is the shortened term for Digital Rights Management and MP3 download retailers are including DRM in their tracks. The major argument has been with Apple and the iTunes music store. Their tracks are sold in AAC format which is Apple’s prefered format for the iPod, and their tracks contain DRM to only allow the tracks to be played back either with the iTunes software on a PC or by using iTunes to transfer the tracks to an iPod only.

I really can’t see the big issue with Apple, they’ve created their own software, music store and player and want to keep it all exclusively to their own brand, but many disagree and want to be able to use iTunes with other brands of MP3 players and transfer their purchased tunes without having to convert the tracks.

Why would you convert the tracks? Well thats the way around DRM, you can burn the tracks to a CD and then rip the CD back to the PC in MP3 format which removes the DRM, but it is a long way round things and costs you the price of a CD disc (although that won’t break the bank).

But it is Apple that has taken the most abuse regarding this, and thats probably because they are the leaders in this field, but why should they take all the blame? There’s lots more out there using DRM and in more harsh ways than Apple.

Around a year or so ago, I searched for an album I used to own on Cassette tape possably 15-20 years ago. I searched and searched for this on CD but came up with nothing! Not even the iTunes store could help me, but then I managed to find the download from MSN music (Good old Microsoft). At around £7 I thought it was a bargain. What I didn’t realise was the type of DRM licensing MSN uses.
Once purchased and downloaded to my PC I proceeded to hit the play button in Windows Media Player, on doing so I was advised that a download was required for the player, so I continued, I was then notified that I required a license from the music store and that they would issue upto 3 licenses. At this time I thought nothing of it, I carried on, played the album, burnt it to CD and played it in the car, all was good.
But I guess the real argument kicks in now, a year later and I stumble across the album hidden away in a folder on the PC, all I want to do is transfer the album to my iPod. I ask iTunes to import the album, it notifies me that the tracks are in .wma format (Windows Media Audio) and would I like to convert them, I click the ‘Yes’ buton to then be notified the tracks are protected and cannot be converted. The original CD I burnt must be burried somewhere deep in the car! So I decide to burn another CD and then transfer back. After opening Windows Media Player I locate the album and drag it to the burn tab, I hit the ‘Burn Now’ button to only be told I have no burn or play rights???? And its not very forthcoming in telling me how to get them!
The reason I don’t have these rights is that I have a different PC to the one I used when I bought the album. A quick look at the help section gets me on my way. I have to access the MSN music store through Windows Media Player and log in, its lucky I can remember the User name & password! I then have to go back to my music library and play the album, it then asks me to download a plugin which then downloads a new license and finally lets me burn the CD. Once thats completed I have to go back to iTunes and rip the CD back to the PC so I can then transfer the album to my iPod!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And thats the reason why DRM must go! Fast!

Apple is now offering DRM free tracks called “Premium” tracks and for the priviledge you have to pay an extra 20p per track. Against the iTunes USA store $0.99 it brings us back to the rip off Britain debate.

But I’m not too concerned with Apple’s DRM, its all the other stores and their licensing tricks.

I guess the real reason behind the argument is “once you’ve bought the album, isn’t it yours to play how you want to play it, just like a CD?”.

Until DRM has disappeared, just remember the online store where you purchased your albums, you may need to download a license again in the future, if you forget it may cost you the price of an album again!