Microsoft Jumps on the Anti-DRM Brandwagon
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Written By Kate Zimmermann | April 5, 2007 | Share This
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Since EMI announced that they will release their entire music library without DRM, Microsoft has apparently jumped on board, following Apple in selling EMI’s unprotected songs. Zune marketing director Jason Reindorm told CNET, “We’ve been saying for awhile that we are aware that consumers want to have unprotected content…[DRM] will force the various services to really innovate.” He couldn’t say, however, when EMI’s music would be available through the Zune Marketplace.
Microsoft’s embrace of EMI has left many confused - didn’t Microsoft tell us in February that they’re in favor of DRM? Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices division told Forbes,
“We’ve been very focused on producing a DRM system. We’re willing to license it across the board…We think DRM is important.”
That’s a pretty quick transition in less than 2 months time. Understandably, few critics have bought into the sincerity of Microsoft’s new anti-DRM stance. As MacDailyNews bluntly points out,
“[Jason Reindorp] doesn’t have a time frame because he’s a B.S. artist who’s stalling for time with a device and a music service that nobody with more than two brain cells to rub together wants and who seems to have no plan for next week, much less next year.”
In fairness, I’m glad to see Microsoft exploring a deal with EMI because I think DRM is unfair to digital music buyers and is stunting the industry. But, Steve Jobs’ continued crusade against DRM has marked Apple as the brand against music encryption. Microsoft, on the other hand, has long catered to its corporate associates. On nearly every major copyright issue related to digital media, Microsoft has spoken in favor of protecting content owners rather than individual users. In light of today’s announcement, Microsoft appears to be riding the coattails of Apple’s positive brand association, and not proclaiming an honest policy reversal.
Then again, maybe it’s just the Zune product, not copyright protection, that ruining Microsoft’s rep.
Topics: Microsoft |