New Apple Computers have DRM

Seems like Apple wasn't content to only enforce DRM in its software; Apple has now put DRM in its hardware as well. New Apple laptops ship with HDCP, which disallows playing of video on all but approved devices (that is, devices that make certain types of copying more difficult). See the Ars Technica report on the subject.

First audio, then movies... and now TV?

The EFF has just revealed that it has been present while a group of broadcasters plots to lock down TV with DRM. Similar to the vast majority if not all DRM schemes, this "security" translates to a bad deal for the consumer. The Digital Video Broadcasting Project will be able to do a variety of unsavory things to your television (or computer, as the case may be) in order to squeeze every last cent out of you. For instance, the so-called "Content Protection and Copy Management" system could (from the EFF site):

• Enforcing severe home recording and copying limitations. CPCM will allow content providers to apply copy restriction labels to broadcast streams. For example, a program could be marked as "Copy Never." In turn, your DVRs and others devices receiving the signal will have to obey and forbid copying even for home use. A content provider could opt to allow recording but still enforce a multitude of restrictions on copying to other devices.
• Imposing controls on where you watch a program. Even if you are given permission to move a program to your laptop or other portable devices, "geography controls" may kick in and stop playback once you leave home or a particular locale. These restrictions may be enforced using tamper-proof GPS receivers built in to your devices. CPCM can also be used to block sending video to yourself over your own home network or the Internet, among other things.
• Dictating how you get to share shows with your own family. CPCM can be used to examine, for instance, the frequency with which devices are connected to a personal network and determine whether your sharing is within an "Authorized Domain" Absurdly, DVB spent significant time arguing over what happens to a digital video in case of a divorce!
• Breaking compatibility with your devices. You may have already invested in new high definition displays and receivers that rely on component analog connections or unrestricted digital outputs, but CPCM will allow the studios to arbitrarily block these connections. In other words, individual copyright holders can turn your gadgets into oversized paperweights. CPCM- restricted media will also be able to carry blacklists and revoke compatibility with particular devices that don't enforce Hollywood's restrictions sufficiently.

Looks like MPAA/RIAA redux to me... prepare for more suing of grandmothers and the like (oh, in addition to not having your TV work the way you want it to).

Who benefits from DRM?

It sure ain't the labels anymore... say hello to the new purveyor of DRM, Apple!!!! That's right, by enforcing restrictions in the code of their m4p format such as preventing you from playing your iTunes store-bought music on any music player besides the iPod, Apple has effectively locked you in to the Apple brand through DRM. DVDJon has a nice entry on the topic.

But... you... just... released... ?????

Bill Gates has just told a bunch of "influential bloggers" that DRM is too complex for the consumer.

This statement is quite strange, coming on the heels of the release of the Zune and Vista, both of which are heavily loaded with DRM. So what does this statement signify? The easy interpretation is the hypocrisy of Microsoft, saying one thing and then doing another. A second, more interesting, interpretation is that Bill Gates is drifting further from Microsoft. As he becomes less Microsoft executive and more charity-donating social-welfare-promoting all-round good guy, he is starting to take positions that don't necessarily reflect Microsoft's corporate interest. Therefore, the idealism of his statements conflict with the reality of Microsoft's product offerings.

Let's hope Microsoft listens to Bill Gates on this issue -- they certainly could use a little guidance.

EMI: first step towards a non-DRMed distribution? Probably not.

Looks like record label EMI is doing some experimenting with their distribution formats, finally figuring out that 1) DRM is not good for the consumer and 2) DRM sucks if you're anyone but Apple, who, having the dominant hardware and software in the market, can lock in the consumers to their products. So EMI is distributing non-DRMed music files for 99 cents on Yahoo! Music.

However, this decision only affects a very limited number of artists and was done with "general resistance" from the executives at EMI. Don't expect this to be the first few cracks in the dam before it explodes...

Great anti-RIAA blogs

The Recording Industry vs the People

"A blog devoted to the RIAA's lawsuits of intimidation brought against ordinary working people."

Boycott-riaa.com

"Take a stand against the RIAA"

RAC -- Recording Artists Coalition

Not explicitly anti-RIAA, but close: "a non-profit, nonpartisan coalition formed to represent the interests of recording artists with regard to legislative issues in which corporate and artists' interests conflict, and to address other public policy debates that come before the music industry."

Defective By Design

Anti-DRM blog. Of course, anti-RIAA and anti-DRM are related issues.