Did an RIAA guy really say DRM is dead for music? Great news if it’s true—but consider the source
“For years the RIAA has defended the use of DRM, much to the dislike of millions of honest customers who actually paid for their music. Now, in a shocking turnaround, the outfit seems to have come to the realization that DRM does more harm than good and has officially declared its death.” – TorrentFreak.
The TeleRead take: I just hope the info is accurate—both the quote and the actual fact. If so, great lesson for the book biz!
From TorrentFreak:
Jonathan Lamy, chief spokesperson for the RIAA declared DRM dead, when he was asked about the RIAA’s view on DRM for an upcoming SCMagazine article. “DRM is dead, isn’t it?” Lamy said, referring to the DRM-less iTunes store and other online outfits that now offer music without restrictions.
When the most vocal forefighters of DRM say so, it must be for real. Although this is the first time that the RIAA have actually said on record that DRM is dead, other players in the music industry have seen the light before them. Most notable IFPI, who said earlier this year that stripping DRM would “significantly boost download sales.”
July 20th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I saw this posted in several other places so it looks as if it might be true. TorrentFreak has been pretty reliable in the past.
July 20th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Good on TF if it has a decent track record! But let’s see what the RIAA itself says—I’ve emailed the guy quoted. David
July 21st, 2009 at 9:04 am
I think this is less a policy of the RIAA and more a recognition of fact. Apple, through iTunes, now offers lots of music without DRM and Amazon ironically, offers all of its music files DRM free. Even the designer of the Titanic recognized that the ship was doomed when it hit the iceberg.
–
Bill