Michael Robertson on What Apple Can Do Today to Stymie DRM and Become More Open

By Alexander Grundner | February 9th, 2007 (0) Comments

There’s been a lot of press recently on Steve Jobs’ 180 on the topic of DRM. He recently proposed in an open letter to the music industry (specifically the “big four” – Universal, Sony BMG, Warner, EMI) that they should drop DRM requirements on tracks purchased from online music outlets – pointing to the fact that 97% of music sales come from unprotected CDs – and move to distributing content via open licensable digital media formats like AAC and MP3. In theory, this would solve both the issues of device playback interoperability and protect Apple from contractual agreements which stipulate that music catalogs can be withdrawn from the iTunes store if a DRM security breach is not fixed in a number of weeks.

While all that is well and good, Michael Robertson has proposed (via Digg) some measures Apple can take today that wouldn’t violate any of the agreements with the majors and will help prove that Steve Jobs is being sincere in efforts to open his (mega money maker) iTunes + iPod monopoly. Note: Apple has come under pressure as of late from advocacy groups and lawsuits filed against the company to license its FairPlay DRM technology to third party device makers in order to protect consumers from “vendor lock-in.” Of course, Steve is now trying to redirect the cause to the labels themselves. What’s funny is that Microsoft with its PlaysForSure technology is doing what Apple claims it can’t do today – licensing their DRM to third parties – securely.

Robertson proposes (in brief and in my own words):

1. Since 30% of the music sold on iTunes comes from independent labels who don’t have an issue selling their tracks DRM-free, begin selling those tracks in the MP3 format so iPod and non-iPod users can purchase music from the service.

2. Open up the iPod database structure so third party media management applications can interact/sync with the device properly.

3. Open iTunes up to work with other online music stores (i.e. MP3tunes.com, eClassical, Magnatune, Broadjam, Wippit) that offer tracks in the MP3 file format, as well as, release an iTunes API so other media player/manager programs can integrate direct access to iTunes content for purchase – Example: Amarok + Magnatune.

4. Port iTunes software to Linux. (In fact, Robertson and his developers at Linspire – a Linux-based desktop OS – are offering to help with the engineering free-of-charge in this matter.)

Robertson concludes: “My vision is that customers should be able to mix and match the type of computer, music software, retail option and music devices they want to use. No single company is the best in every product category so consumer choice ensures the best music experience.”

I couldn’t agree more.

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