Will Apple Open Up Fairplay DRM?
Jan 17th, 2007 | By James Lewin | Category: Digital Music, iPods & Portable Media PlayersAccording to reports, Apple plans to open up the Fairplay digital rights management software that is used to control the use of music and movies content bought from the iTunes Store.
The iPod maker is expected to make two announcements, possibly as early as this week – the first will be to allow streaming of protected AAC content via USB; the second will be to license its Fairplay DRM to the company’s Made For iPod licencees.
The result of this change would be to let you play songs and videos purchased through iTunes on third party devices using digital connections. It may also mean that devices like iPod docks will be able to display more information – artwork and other track info, for example – which is stored alongside the protected audio.
There has been no official announcement from Apple, but it could be a move to limit the backlash over Apple’s dominance in DRM’d media.
Apple and other digital music publishing services should consider using Numly.com’s Digital Rights Assignment (DRA) services rather than continuing to punish consumers with Digital Rights Management (DRM).
DRA is not restrictive. It simply “assigns” a license number (Numly Number) to a copy of digital music and associates the number with the licensee’s name and membership details. The end result is a trackable MP3 or AAC or whatever without DRM. If the copy is reported stolen, it can be tracked to the rightful owner.
Sounds simple enough!