New Program Breaks Apple's Itunes DRM

Betanews.com ^

[Next_Time_NJ]

With the recent high-profile news reports of ways to circumvent Napster-to-Go's digital rights management (DRM) software, it was only a matter of time before someone targeted iTunes.

Hacker Jon Lech Johansen has done just that. Most known for his software that breaks the copy protection of DVDs, Johansen with the help of two counterparts has released PyMusique, what they bill as "a fair interface to the iTunes Music Store."

[John Valentine]

You're the one who's pushing free recordings as a formula for better music and a better business model.

Never said that. Please don't put words in my mouth. That's dishonest, and I resent it.

All I am saying and all I have ever said is that the industry has not been hurt, is not being hurt, and is most likely helped by peer sharing as it exists today.

[anonymous_user]

All I am saying and all I have ever said is that the industry has not been hurt, is not being hurt, and is most likely helped by peer sharing as it exists today.

You're right, I re-read your original post, and I apologize. This is a hot-button issue for me, and I tend to go a little bat... well, you know.

You're also right that P2P help change the industry, but not the way most people think.

The theory is that not buying music will force the music industry to make "better music" when the reverse is happening. As we've seen, we're knee deep in talentless pretty-people with TV shows, movies, lines of clothing, perfumes, toys... oh, and they have a music CD out too.

Meanwhile small labels with real musicians and no ulterior marketing plan will simply say, "why bother?" if the music is free.

The record companies should embrace the free music model as a way to quietly monopolize the "music marketing industry," if they aren't doing so already. They could use a few high-profile RIAA legal actions (e.g. taking grandmas and nine-year-olds to court) to incite a little rebellion and self-righteous anger.

So all this painless and socially just music swapping will not hurt the "music industry" but it will most certainly hurt music.

[Bush2000]

All I am saying and all I have ever said is that the industry has not been hurt, is not being hurt, and is most likely helped by peer sharing as it exists today.

Wrong. Industry sales are down drastically. And the iTunes store isn't making up the difference.

[Bush2000]

Is this an official statement from Redmond or is this an actual reply that you thought up?

You know where you can shove your snide comments, loser...

[IncPen]

You know where you can shove your snide comments, loser

Your words.

They wound.

I guess I'll need a band aid for that. Or, perhaps a patch.

Bwa hahahaahaha!

[John Valentine]

Wrong. Industry sales are down drastically. And the iTunes store isn't making up the difference

That was not my understanding. If you're right, I may stand corrected if a downturn is not due to other causes.

[Bush2000]

http://www.riaa.com/news/newsletter/pdf/2003yearEnd.pdf

From 2000-2001, sales of CDs were down 6.4% from the previous year
From 2001-2002, sales of CDs were down an additional 8.9%
From 2002-2003, sales of CDs were down an additional 7.1%

The market for CDs has shrunk dramatically -- and any increase of sales due to iTunes and other online markets is simply not making up the difference. People may argue about the cause, but it's pretty obvious that file-sharing is a major, major impact.

[steve-b]

The market for CDs has shrunk dramatically

Yeah, that's what happens when you keep trying to sell crap. Ask the DNC.

[Bush2000]

Yeah, that's what happens when you keep trying to sell crap. Ask the DNC.

It's always been crap, Steve. But people don't care. They like to buy crap. Unless they can get it for free. Which they can. Hence, the drop in sales ...