Posted on 06/09/2011 8:50:59 AM PDT by max americana
Apple has rolled out phase one of its cloud music offering this week, allowing iTunes users to download additional copies of past purchases on up to ten devices.
However, users that bought their music on iTunes before Apple abandoned DRM some two years ago better get ready for an unexpected surprise: Files originally bought with Apple’s Fairplay copy protection are also once again downloaded with DRM.
A number of users complained about this strange behavior on Twitter and on the web, with one stating that this would bring back “bad memories.” We were able to confirm it by re-downloading a DRMed track as well. Apple introduced the ability to “upgrade” copy protected tracks to DRM-free AACs by paying $0.30 per song in early 2009. The so-called upgrade to iTunes Plus is still available, so it might make economic sense for the company to not offer free upgrades as part of the new ability to download additional copies of previously purchased songs.
DRM=apple
BTW, there was some software that would strip the DRM. Wonder if it still works.
There is software actually, but I;m waiting for those “honest” Apple leg-tinglers who replied on another thread that Apple has NO DRM.
They killed DRM a while back for new purchases, and offered those with older DRM tracks to upgrade to a higher-quality non-DRM version. If you have older DRM tracks, and didn't pay to upgrade, guess what, you still get DRM tracks. Why is this a surprise? People wanting something for nothing? If they did remove the DRM, all those people who paid to upgrade would be complaining that they wasted their money.
Only makes sense if the DRM is of some benefit to the user. It isn’t. Its a pain if you don’t use an Apple player.
Why should the users pay for something that is of absolutely not benefit to them? I guess that is Apple for ya.
Also, seems like they’d have to store both versions on their servers — with and without DRM. Twice the space.
Am I missing something?
“Most Apple users are too stupid to understand any of this.”
This pretty much sums it up.
Because of the deal with the labels, iTunes was DRM in the beginning. There was no other way they’d allow their music to be legally sold, but it was a lot nicer than what the labels wanted. Then once iTunes gained a lot of power in the music retail market, Apple got the labels to allow the dropping of DRM. However, the labels wanted more money to convert previously DRM’d songs to non-DRM.
Are you missing something? The fact that in the end the record labels dictate the terms. It’s only through Apple’s extensive arm twisting and cash payments that things are as friendly as they are now. I’m guessing the labels refused to allow the iCloud money to pay for an automatic upgrade for everyone.
Hush, now. Facts are rather inconvenient when a good Apple-bashing is underway.
Ironically, the music industry have made tons of money from Apple and Itunes. The costs to provide the song are nil versus the old method: no media, CD, LP, sleeve, shipping and distribution costs, sales, marketing, etc. etc.
Must be a love-hate relationship.
Interesting that it wasn't Apple who wanted to charge to remove the DRM. Apparently, another way for the Recording Industry to make money and “punish” the public. How dare we want the music without DRM — if you want it (without), you gotta pay for it.
Most people probably don't know or don't care, though... as long as their Ipod plays the music.
I care because I don't just always use Ipods to play the music. I have a non-Apple media center. And I prefer other streamlined players versus the Itunes monstrosity. Itunes is a pain and a resource hog. I just want to play music. Not be bombarded by windows and Apple trying to sell me stuff.
Think of it from Apple's point of view. Music DRM increases the complexity of their systems and adds operational overhead. Apple prides in making things brain-dead easy for users, and DRM adds complexity to make things not so easy for the users. A user pissed off over DRM making life difficult is a user pissed off at Apple regardless of who mandated it (What do you mean I can't burn an AAC CD of the songs I bought from iTunes to play in my car? Damn Apple!). Jobs does not like that.
Now Apple is not against DRM overall. They use it extensively to lock their operating systems to the iDevices and Macs, and the apps at the App Store, and with purchased video. But the regular user doesn't even notice that, except for maybe with the video (which is still mandated by the studios). They're just against it when it hurts their bottom line by pissing off users. Jobs isn't being altruistic here. He'd crush us under music DRM if he thought it would mean selling more iDevices, but he's better at reading the consumer than most, so he won't.
Yup...they keep blowing smoke our asses that Apple is so damn “perfect” (gag)
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