Re: [tlug] iPod considered harmful

[Jim Tittsler <jwt-tlug@example.com>]

On Aug 1, 2006, at 12:09, Josh Glover wrote:

> I am not crazy about iPods and iTMS, but I've never really been able
> to write a good essay on why I am not. Luckily, I no longer have to,
> as Cory Doctorow has written an excellent one:
>
> http://informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=191000408

It seems a couple of places he argues that record companies can't  
copy their music onto iPods and have the songs play without licensing  
Apple's DRM.  But the iPod plays vanilla AAC and MP3 tracks that have  
no DRM restrictions just fine.  So what he is really arguing is that  
they don't get to control the DRM scheme... because DRM is not a  
requirement to play on the iPod... the record companies just believe  
it is prerequisite to sell music.

As for going the other direction (migrating Apple's restricted  
content on other players), he has a stronger argument.  (At least  
until the money or court settlement encourages Apple to license it.)

My iPod doesn't play Windows Media files, let alone Windows Media  
files with their version of DRM.  The newfangled VHS tapes didn't fit  
in my Betamax recorder either.



--
Jim Tittsler  7J1AJH/AI8A                            GPG: 0x01159DB6
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