Sunday - October 02, 2005
Playing Music CDs on Computers a Privilege, Not a Right
Source: BoingBoing → tigert.com.
As a friendly reminder about why DRM should not mean Digital Rights Management as much as it should be Digital Restrictions Management, the IFPI (an international version of the RIAA) seems to have come up with a music CD that doesn't play on computers unless it runs Windows. After people have complained, this is what Tommi Kyyrä, head of IFPI Finland has said (translated):
"Now, we need to understand that listening to music on your computer is an extra priviledge. Normally people listen to music on their car or through their home stereos", says Kyyrä and continues; "If you are a Linux or Mac user, you should consider purchasing a regular CD player."
I maintain that DRM is not inherently a bad thing. But it is getting abused by greedy and short-sighted corporations, and this is a clear example.
(Incidentally, I turned 21 yesterday. Hurrah for survival!)
Having paying customers is a privilege, not a right.