Reading on DRM...

I read a post on Mr Stanley Ho's blog... It's the one on SonyBMG Chief Anti-Pirate Lawyer's view on DRM and music...

I posted a comment on that post, but I felt I had to do a continuation... and I foresaw some undesireable content [and length] that Mr Ho probably wouldn't like on his blog... and besides, I'm sure he wants more hits diverted from other blogs!

DRM is very anti-consumer. As much as I hate DRM, I hate SonyBMG's take on DRM.

Have they not regretted the RootKit issue? Hate to bring this up, but apparently, Sony installed a Copy-protection scheme on their CDs using rootkits, which could then download and install spyware and all forms of indesireable content. A Class-action lawsuit was filed, and now, they are sueing back at their contractors. They have a case. But my point for bringing this up is: Does Sony have any remorse after the RootKit incident? It appears not, as Sony continues to add DRM and copy-prevention schemes to everything. You saw Blu-Ray. They not only installed a copy-prevention layer on the $50 12mm round-piece-of-plastic, but they also have something called the HDCP: High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection, which supposedly lowers down the resolution of the video playback, if not just stop the playback, if the screen which you watch on does not support this Copy Protection. HD-DVD has also went on to do this. Just take note: when you get blu-ray, there is a high chance that your computer will not be able to play back the content, because the Graphics card on your computer is probably not HDCP-supported yet.

I'm bringing up the other things that Sony has done to let you know: Sony is trying to be an anti-consumer monopoly, and we must not let this happen. How would you like if Sony controls every single media content and platform? They'll control the pricing of the sale of their music, They'll just keep increasing the prices of their CDs, install more malware, brick your iPods [Your iPod was meant to play music. If CDs are DRM-ed, what are you going to play on your iPod? iTunes may not come to Singapore.]

DRM is Sony's baby. They spent huge amounts of money into the scheme, so they do not want to see this money as being washed down the drain in one decision. Isn't that why they still hung on to the Sony Walkman branding? The Walkman was a popular music player which ran on tapes, and now, The Walkman is a flash-based digital music player. You can tell Sony does not want to miss any opportunity. Sony is willing to do whatever it takes just to break even.

Now you notice I didn't mention a bit about the artistes. There's a reason behind this. It is quite common to hear that artistes don't get much money from selling albums. That is because the money goes mainly to the recording label, and then divided into several portions. I do not know the exact proportions, but I know part of it goes back to the company for the promotion that was done on the album, and for the label to develop newer artistes and other albums. The remainder goes to the peopl INVOLVED in the making of the album: from the artiste, to the album cover design, the CD-pressing place [Hey, someone has to make the CDs], the studio, all sorts of people. The best way for these artistes to earn exorbitant amounts of money is, you guessed it, concerts. They sell tickets at $109, they sell T-shirts at $60. Imagine how much they can earn!

You may be thinking: Why do these artistes even sign contracts with the labels? Well, Firstly, if you were to go independent, where would you go, and how far? Next, these labels have the resources to turn you from a nobody to the "Oh-My-God-It's-that-hot-new-song" guy in a week. Seen Lily Allen? Seen Britney Spears in her early days? Seen Hilary Duff? William Hung? These people flourish thanks to the marketing machine that is the Recording Company!

But remember: They control these artiste. They decide to put labels. They are the ones who say "CDs suck". Not the Artiste. But the Sony-BMGs of the world. And the more they try to control the consumers, the more the consumers will fight back. We've often hear artistes saying "Don't steal music. Buy CDs" on radios. Listen to them. Remember, Sony BMG's job is just to feed these artistes, provide the equipment to record, find talents, as well as to MARKET THE ARTISTEs. Enough, Sony BMG, We're not playing a cat&mouse game with you. Put down your DRM toy and just make good music. That's the only way you'll earn money.

Sony-BMG has this anti-consumer policy. They use their artiste as an excuse for DRM, when in actual fact, it's only because they are so scared their music sucked, and hence they cannot allow piracy. Hence, they must do whatever it takes to prevent copy protection. That's bullcrap. They just want people to be locked in to this DRM scheme. People often joke that Sony's aim is to charge everyone not just for playing the music, but even thinking of it, because the artistes created the music and hence they are "entitled" to the money. Well guess what. I'm not going to pay just because i am thinking of a chord on a guitar.

Sony, I used to love you, but now, you suck.