BBC News has reported that Music execs criticise DRM systems, based on a Jupiter Research survey of attitudes to Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems in European music firms.
The study revealed that about 54% of those executives questioned thought that current DRM systems were too restrictive. Also, 62% believed that dropping DRM and releasing music files that can be enjoyed on any MP3 player would boost the take-up of digital music generally.
Among all those questioned, 70% believed that the future of downloadable music lay in making tracks play on as many different players as possible. But 40% believed it would take concerted government or consumer action to bring this about.
But this isn't necessarily good news. The story says:
"Despite everything that has been happening the record labels are not about to drop DRM," said Mr Mulligan. "Even though all they are doing is making themselves look even less compelling by using it."
There's also a significant observation in the version of the story at Information Week. It says:
It's worth noting that Apple's FairPlay DRM is far more effective at preventing competitors from making devices that interoperate with the iPod and iTunes -- thanks to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act -- than it is in preventing iTunes customers from copying songs they've bought online.
