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In the face of mounting pressure from consumer groups and agencies in Europe to make iTunes Music Store compatible with players other than the iPod, Apple chief Steve Jobs’ came out swinging. His rare essay, “Thoughts on Music“, published on the company’s Website yesterday, created immediate buzz. |
Some applauded his call to abolish DRM (digital rights management) entirely so any MP3 player could play music purchased from any online store. Skeptics saw this as an apparent attempt to “defect European criticism”, as the FT put it. Some in the music industry accused Jobs of “posturing”. While music companies have lobbied Apple to license its Fairplay DRM to other companies in order to break down the barriers between formats, they’re wary of banishing DRM altogether lest the risk of piracy.