James Delahunty
9 Oct 2004 0:08
Just some days ago, Steve Ballmer referred to iPods as being "full of stolen music". Ged Carrol, who was offended by these comments, went to the Microsoft web site and used their feedback feature to demand an apology, and he got one. The apology went like this, "We would like to assure you that when Steve Ballmer implied that most of the music on iPods were stolen, he absolutely did not intend to single out iPod owners for criticism. In fact, given that they have access to their very own - and very popular - online music store, they are likely among the most law-abiding consumers of digital music. Microsoft Windows Media digital rights management (DRM) is a great way to limit piracy, and the main point Steve was trying to convey was that it requires a coordinated effort among many industry partners to do it right. More information on this platform is found on this page: http://www dot microsoft dot com/windows/windowsmedia/drm/faq.aspx"
If you read the apology it seems that it implies that only iPod users have access to the online music store, and doesn't mention that there is a fully working Windows version of it. Ballmer made his original comments about the iPod because it supports MP3, which is the most popular digital music format. Maybe Microsoft just hate it when they have serious competition? Also I don't see how DRM protection is a great way to limit piracy, just remember software Afterdawn has reported in the past that allows such protections to be bypassed. If anything DRM only limits music and is completely unfair to consumers. Oh and let's not forget that using DRM technology only tells your consumers one thing; you think they are all pirates.
Source:
The Register