Music DRM…beginning of the end?
A few articles came out today with interesting takes on digital music DRM. The first is a small blurb about Dave Goldberg, Yahoo’s Music Chief at the Music 2.0 conference where he brings up eMusic as an example of a DRM free distribution model. I like this because a) It’s Yahoo, and they have some clout and b) it’s eMusic, which is a GREAT site, with a great model, along with great pricing. Alas, eMusic always seems to be forgotten when conversations of online music distribution is brought up.
The other article comes from China. Gino Yu, chairman of Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association, talks about how he feels several technologies now feared by media companies should be seen not as enemies to the industry, but potential money making devices. And it’s nice to see a media giant spokesman take an opposing view to the RIAA:
Yu also doubted the feasibility of the catch-and-sue procedure currently used to bust online piracy, given the difficulty of identifying online pirates and the fast growth of technology innovation.
Granted, DRM isn’t dissappearing tomorrow. Apple just sold its billionth DRMed song on iTunes. But it’s nice to finally see some opposing viewpoints coming from high-up media execs.
3 Comments
Ah, back to one of my favorite topics–music licensing. Let me just say that as a songwriter trying to make a few extra dollars, the DRM model is my only hope, and it has been the only means by which I have made money on my writing.
I hope other part-time or struggling songwriters agree with this view.
Music Licensing != DRM.
I’m not sure why you’d think the DRM is your only hope, Mark. Can you elaborate?
Let me answer you question with a question: if you are a songwriter/lyricist/composer, and you wish to make a modest/reasonable living selling your work, how would you generate revenue?
One limitation: organizing as a non-profit and asking for donations is also not an option for legal/accounting reasons.
Remember, a one-time assignment of all your right/title interest to your creative work IS an option.