Apple CEO Steve Jobs (right) has posted an open letter on the Apple website, discussing the future of Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology (used to control distribution of music files on the internet).
Clearly aware of the rising hubbub in Europe about iTunes and DRM, Jobs points out:
‘In 2006, under 2 billion DRM-protected songs were sold worldwide by online stores, while over 20 billion songs were sold completely DRM-free and unprotected on CDs by the music companies themselves.
Much of the concern over DRM systems has arisen in European countries. Perhaps those unhappy with the current situation should redirect their energies towards persuading the music companies to sell their music DRM-free. For Europeans, two and a half of the big four music companies are located right in their backyard… Convincing them to license their music to Apple and others DRM-free will create a truly interoperable music marketplace. Apple will embrace this wholeheartedly.’
Loosening the DRM requirements placed on iTunes by the ‘big four’ record companies (including UK-based EMI) would ease regulatory pressure on Apple. Whether, as Jobs also suggests, it would broaden the market for online music sales – and for sales of devices like the iPhone, is less clear.
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