Ailing music biz set to relax digital restrictions

Begin forwarded message:

From: Bob Frankston <[email protected]>
Date: January 2, 2007 4:44:08 PM EST
To: "'Dave Farber'" <[email protected]>
Subject: Ailing music biz set to relax digital restrictions

From: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070102/wr_nm/digital_dc

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - The anti-digital rights management (DRM)=20=20
bandwagon is getting more crowded by the day. Even some major-label=20=20
executives are pushing for the right to sell digital downloads as=20=20
unprotected MP3s.

In 2007, the majors will get the message, and the DRM wall will begin=20=20
to crumble. Why? Because they'll no longer be able to point to a=20=20
growing digital marketplace as justification that DRM works. Revenue=20=20
from digital downloads and mobile content is expected to be flat or,=20=20
in some cases, decline next year. If the digital market does in fact=20=20
stall, alternatives to DRM will look much more attractive.

. . .



There=92s also an analysis at http://www.cepro.com/news/editorial/=20
16792.html?utm_source=3DCEPWeekly



Of course there=92s still the damage done by DMCA and other DRM=20=20
enforcement efforts that will leave a legacy of perverse enforcement=20=20
and meddling that will act as landmines for those trying to innovate.