Music content owners consider dropping DRM technology
Feb 8, 2007 8:00 AM
Some major record labels are now considering the release of commercial music on the Internet with no copy protection.
Executives of several technology companies have told the "New York Times" that at least one of the four major record companies could move toward the sale of unrestricted digital files in the MP3 format within a matter of months.
Independent record labels already sell tracks digitally compressed in the MP3 format. These files, which include no digital rights management (DRM) technology, can be downloaded, e-mailed or copied to CD. They can also be played on virtually any music player, including Apple's iPod.
For major recording companies, which have been weary of easily shared MP3 files, however, providing music in that format is not an option. Until last year, the industry was counting on online purchases of music using DRM, led by Apple's iTunes music store, to make up the difference in the declining sales of compact discs.
CD sales continue to decline, however, and file downloads of copy-protected music have not made up the difference. In desperation, the music companies are rethinking the positions.
Unrestricted copies could be sold as singles or through subscription services or made freely available on Internet sites that support advertising.
Another factor is a growing frustration with proprietary formats. In some European countries, especially France, consumer frustration has led to government proposals to legislate interoperability.
This eBook provides both new and veteran shooters an in-depth understanding of the technology that lies between the camera lens and the recording medium and how to maximize a camera's performance.
File-based technologies have replaced video tape methods for a majority of production and broadcast operations. The worlds of AV and IT are coalescing to create new methods and workflows for media
Video compression, editing and displays is an in-depth tutorial on MPEG compression technology, editing MPEG content and evaluating color video monitors written by long-time video expert, trainer and writer Steve Mullen, Ph. D.
2012 will be the year of mobile DTV. That’s the view of Erik Moreno, who along with Salil Dalvi, senior VP for Mobile Platform Development at NBC Universal, is co-general manager of the Mobile Content Venture.
Hear snippets of podcast interviews done throughout 2011 with Pat McDonough of The Nielsen Company, Glen Friedman of Ideas & Solutions!, Danny Wilson of Pixelmetrix and Greg Herman of Watch TV. Pictured is Danny Wilson, Pixelmetrix.
