30 April 2007
Against DRM, Tell Warner Music Says DefectivebyDesign.org
DefectivebyDesign.org is once again calling for support to help stop DRM in music.
Last time it was to sign a petition to be sent to Steve Jobs asking him to follow through on his pledge to bring DRM free music through iTunes. That led to the deal with EMI and announcements from other online music stores and more recently the announcement that Universal may open some of their catalog.
Warner Music doesn't seem to see the same way as the other labels and still refuses to participate in such DRM free music and even considered a takeover of EMI to stop them distributing DRM free music. The have also recently filed lawsuit against AnywhereCD.com to stop them from distributing MP3 files with the purchase of a CD.
DefectivebyDesign.org is calling on people now to call the people in Warner's New York office to express their opinions about DRM. They provide a list of people who you may consider calling which is replicated below.
Laird Popkin, Director of Digital Technology
Alex Zubilaga, Executive Vice President for Digital Strategy and Business Development
Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
PR Department Execs:
Will Tanous
Susan Mazo
Amanda Collins
Along with contact information, each link provides a place to report on the result of the calls.
Last time it was to sign a petition to be sent to Steve Jobs asking him to follow through on his pledge to bring DRM free music through iTunes. That led to the deal with EMI and announcements from other online music stores and more recently the announcement that Universal may open some of their catalog.
Warner Music doesn't seem to see the same way as the other labels and still refuses to participate in such DRM free music and even considered a takeover of EMI to stop them distributing DRM free music. The have also recently filed lawsuit against AnywhereCD.com to stop them from distributing MP3 files with the purchase of a CD.
DefectivebyDesign.org is calling on people now to call the people in Warner's New York office to express their opinions about DRM. They provide a list of people who you may consider calling which is replicated below.
Laird Popkin, Director of Digital Technology
Alex Zubilaga, Executive Vice President for Digital Strategy and Business Development
Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
PR Department Execs:
Will Tanous
Susan Mazo
Amanda Collins
Along with contact information, each link provides a place to report on the result of the calls.
Labels: drm
07 March 2007
Join in Asking Steve Jobs to Take Action Against DRM
DefectiveByDesign.org has once again made a move against DRMs. This time it's asking Steve Jobs to take action on his earlier comments against DRM. Previously Steve Jobs said that Apple would be more than happy to drop DRM from iTunes if they were allowed by the big four record lables - Sony, Universal, EMI and Warner.
DefectiveByDesign has created a letter to Steve Jobs asking him to back his pledge and is asking for signatures with a goal of 1000 by April. The actions that are requested are that iTunes either:
1. Drops DRM for independent artists
2. Drops DRM for Disney movies and video
3. Take a public stand against DRM and the Digital Millennium Copyright Acts which mandates DRM.
It will be interesting to see the response from Apple by 1 April. If there is a response it will most likely be the first of the options as it can cause the least harm to Apple and cost the least amount of money. That being said, I could be wrong, we'll have to just wait and see.
DefectiveByDesign has created a letter to Steve Jobs asking him to back his pledge and is asking for signatures with a goal of 1000 by April. The actions that are requested are that iTunes either:
1. Drops DRM for independent artists
2. Drops DRM for Disney movies and video
3. Take a public stand against DRM and the Digital Millennium Copyright Acts which mandates DRM.
It will be interesting to see the response from Apple by 1 April. If there is a response it will most likely be the first of the options as it can cause the least harm to Apple and cost the least amount of money. That being said, I could be wrong, we'll have to just wait and see.
Labels: Apple, drm, Steve Jobs
07 February 2007
Steve Jobs Makes Statements Against DRM
In a not so surprise move, Steve Jobs has called for the abolishment of DRMs in music. He states that lack of DRMs would be the best option for consumers buying music as they could play music on any music player from any store. Currently Apple, Sony and Microsoft all have different DRMs on the music sold in their stores that prevent music from being played on other players. Jobs says Apple would only choose DRM-free music if the music companies would allow Apple to sell the music without requiring a DRM.
DRMs haven't worked to stop piracy according to Jobs and he doubts that they will work in the future. He also points out that online music is the only music sold with DRMs. CDs are sold without protection which allows the content to be pirated.
Jobs has asked people and groups concerned about DRMs in music to make their interest and concern known to the music industry. He points out that most of the concern is coming from Europe and two of the four big music companies are European owned, Universal is completely owned by Vivendi (France), EMI is British and Sony BMG is half owned by Bertelsmann (Germany).
To learn more about DRM, I suggest going to StopDRMNow.org or Wikipedia.
DRMs haven't worked to stop piracy according to Jobs and he doubts that they will work in the future. He also points out that online music is the only music sold with DRMs. CDs are sold without protection which allows the content to be pirated.
Jobs has asked people and groups concerned about DRMs in music to make their interest and concern known to the music industry. He points out that most of the concern is coming from Europe and two of the four big music companies are European owned, Universal is completely owned by Vivendi (France), EMI is British and Sony BMG is half owned by Bertelsmann (Germany).
To learn more about DRM, I suggest going to StopDRMNow.org or Wikipedia.
Labels: Apple, drm, mp3, Steve Jobs
27 January 2007
A Wow Moment - Microsoft Site Actually Working On Opera
A letter from Bill Gates is inviting people to share 'wow moments' concerning Vista.
A "wow moment" is "when you recognize that your life has changed". The wow moments that Bill Gates list includes is when Intel released the 8080 processor in 1974, the birth of his children, Warren Buffet's donation to the Gates foundation. Vista, Gates considers, will give and has given people these moments.
The website where you can share your wows doesn't work very well with any browser other than IE. Firefox doesn't load the site at all and Opera loads it but doesn't show any wows but will not allow anyone to enter a wow. By preventing other browsers from being able to post anything I assume Microsoft can block the people who may post any negative comments.
For those against the DRM in Vista, DefectiveByDesign.org will be outside the launch of Vista in New York near Times Square to share their "wow moments". Together with BadVista.org they will be distributing leaflets discussing the dangers of the DRM in Vista.
They will be meeting first at Cipriani's on 42nd Street from noon then moving on to the Nokia Theater from 2 pm. People who will be in the area are encouraged to sign up.
A "wow moment" is "when you recognize that your life has changed". The wow moments that Bill Gates list includes is when Intel released the 8080 processor in 1974, the birth of his children, Warren Buffet's donation to the Gates foundation. Vista, Gates considers, will give and has given people these moments.
The website where you can share your wows doesn't work very well with any browser other than IE. Firefox doesn't load the site at all and Opera loads it but doesn't show any wows but will not allow anyone to enter a wow. By preventing other browsers from being able to post anything I assume Microsoft can block the people who may post any negative comments.
For those against the DRM in Vista, DefectiveByDesign.org will be outside the launch of Vista in New York near Times Square to share their "wow moments". Together with BadVista.org they will be distributing leaflets discussing the dangers of the DRM in Vista.
They will be meeting first at Cipriani's on 42nd Street from noon then moving on to the Nokia Theater from 2 pm. People who will be in the area are encouraged to sign up.
Labels: drm, microsoft, vista, windows
03 October 2006
Today is Against DRM
Today is the announced "Day Against DRM" designed to make people more aware of DRM and why it isn't a good idea.
More information about what DRM is and why it is bad can be found by reading this leaflet.
Also there are two YouTube videos designed to demonstrate DRM. They are called "A Real World DRM" and "Interchangeability".
Those who want to get involved in spreading the word about it can read this text and email it to their friends and family, sign a petition to Bono, print and display this sign, or print and distribute the leaflet mentioned earlier.
And of course tell a friend.
Labels: drm
09 September 2006
Barenaked Ladies views against DRM and P2P
The lead vocalist and guitarist Steve Page from the music group Barenaked Ladies, has posted a comment on their website about their views on DRM.
The MPAA states that they are working in the best interest of artist they represent when filing lawsuits against individuals for file sharing on P2P networks. At the same time artists are stating a dissatisfaction with DRM and some even support the idea of P2P.
In many cases people download films or music to see if they like it and after listening to it, they get to know the artist and like the artist and buy the music.
Steve Page is one of those musicians who are against DRMs. His exact views can be read here.
The MPAA states that they are working in the best interest of artist they represent when filing lawsuits against individuals for file sharing on P2P networks. At the same time artists are stating a dissatisfaction with DRM and some even support the idea of P2P.
In many cases people download films or music to see if they like it and after listening to it, they get to know the artist and like the artist and buy the music.
Steve Page is one of those musicians who are against DRMs. His exact views can be read here.
Day Against DRM set for 3rd October
I have written previously about DRM and the problems with it.
The 3rd of October has been declared "Day Against DRM". The idea is to inform the public about DRM and let public reaction put an end to such a technology that limits the ability for people to make copies of CDs or DVDs as backups for personal use only. It forces people to buy complete new copies of something that they themselves already own.
DefectivebyDesign is calling for ideas on ways to make people aware of DRM to be used on 3 October. There are prizes for the best ideas as well.
The 3rd of October has been declared "Day Against DRM". The idea is to inform the public about DRM and let public reaction put an end to such a technology that limits the ability for people to make copies of CDs or DVDs as backups for personal use only. It forces people to buy complete new copies of something that they themselves already own.
DefectivebyDesign is calling for ideas on ways to make people aware of DRM to be used on 3 October. There are prizes for the best ideas as well.
Labels: drm
24 August 2006
People urged to boycott HD licensing terms
There is an interesting site describing one major problem with the high definition standards such as HDTV, Blu-ray and HD-DVD.
The first problem is that if you have an HDTV that doesn't have a HDMI port or HDCP compliant DVI port you will not be able to watch HD films in high definition, they will be the exact same quality as a standard DVD. Similarly if your computer doesn't have a HDCP compliant video card and monitor, you cannot watch Blu-ray or HD-DVD discs. Remember that compatable and compliant are two different words and compatable devices will not work.
Blue-ray and HD-DVD formats both use AACS (Advanced Access Content System). This DRM prevents open-source software from being able to use the formats or for that matter any computer not running MacOS or Windows.
Mandatory Managed Copy, which will be available on later generations of the readers, will allow you to make legal backups, but will require an active internet connection. This seems to remind me of the Sony BMG trojan that appeared earlier that had a recall on some CDs over privacy concerns.
The EU has already launched an unofficial investigation into Blu-Ray and HD-DVD regarding anti-trust issues in their licensing terms with Sony confirming that they have received a letter from the EU Commission regarding the issue. If the licensing terms are found to be disagreeable then a full anti-trust investigation can be expected.
The Free Software Federation openly supports a boycott on these technologies because of their attack on people's freedom and on the open-source community. They claim it is a "conspiracy to restrict technology" and should be illegal. The site also urges us to prohibit such technology in our homes if it is not illegal.
While the technology is interesting I would also encourage a boycott of these devices until they are available to everyone not just those using Windows or Mac. The only difference in the technology is that viewers of these high definition films will have a better resolution, but no better sound.
The first problem is that if you have an HDTV that doesn't have a HDMI port or HDCP compliant DVI port you will not be able to watch HD films in high definition, they will be the exact same quality as a standard DVD. Similarly if your computer doesn't have a HDCP compliant video card and monitor, you cannot watch Blu-ray or HD-DVD discs. Remember that compatable and compliant are two different words and compatable devices will not work.
Blue-ray and HD-DVD formats both use AACS (Advanced Access Content System). This DRM prevents open-source software from being able to use the formats or for that matter any computer not running MacOS or Windows.
Mandatory Managed Copy, which will be available on later generations of the readers, will allow you to make legal backups, but will require an active internet connection. This seems to remind me of the Sony BMG trojan that appeared earlier that had a recall on some CDs over privacy concerns.
The EU has already launched an unofficial investigation into Blu-Ray and HD-DVD regarding anti-trust issues in their licensing terms with Sony confirming that they have received a letter from the EU Commission regarding the issue. If the licensing terms are found to be disagreeable then a full anti-trust investigation can be expected.
The Free Software Federation openly supports a boycott on these technologies because of their attack on people's freedom and on the open-source community. They claim it is a "conspiracy to restrict technology" and should be illegal. The site also urges us to prohibit such technology in our homes if it is not illegal.
While the technology is interesting I would also encourage a boycott of these devices until they are available to everyone not just those using Windows or Mac. The only difference in the technology is that viewers of these high definition films will have a better resolution, but no better sound.
