James Delahunty
14 Apr 2007 18:47
According to a new poll on tech site Pocket-Lint.co.uk, many music downloaders would consider paying extra per music track download if it included no Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection. In 62% of respondents confirmed they would pay more for DRM-less downloads when asked, "Will you pay extra for DRM free music?". About 38% said they wouldn't pay extra for the downloads.
EMI and Apple Inc. are currently experimenting with DRM-less downloading through iTunes, although the downloads cost more for the added benefits. Without DRM, users that download the tracks can store it on a lot more players instead of just iPods and can use the file like they use any other. The iTunes offering followed an open letter from Steve Jobs that questioned the benefits of DRM and urged the industry to take steps to drop it.
A question that must be asked however is whether consumers should view DRM-less downloads as "new" and somehow "superior" to before. Does the lack of DRM make the music sound any better? Considering the music industry has been selling unprotected CDs but still enforcing restrictions on downloads of the same music, should consumers consider nothing less than DRM-less downloads without the price hike?
Of course, the benefits of removing DRM from tracks are obvious, but if unprotected CDs are truly the source of MP3 files that are shared millions of times daily, then why not ease up on the growing market and just remove the DRM without putting up the price?
Source:
Pocket-Lint.co.uk