DailyTech - RIAA Spokesperson Denies Calling DRM "Dead"

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Blog: Software RIAA Spokesperson Denies Calling DRM "Dead"
Jason Mick (Blog) - July 21, 2009 11:00 AM

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14 comment(s) - last by Murst.. on Jul 23 at 7:30 PM

TorrentFreak misquoted DRM's spokesperson, DRM is (un)dead

Digital Rights Management (DRM) isn't quite dead yet apparently. Jonathan Lamy, the Recording Industry Association of America spokesman who created much excitement on the web when he reportedly declared DRM "dead" in a quote reported by TorrentFreak's Ernesto.

The only problem was he didn't say that. Apparently, Ernesto drew the quote from SC Magazine reporter Deb Radcliffe, who swiftly asked for a retraction. Mr. Lamy's full quote actually read, "There is virtually no DRM on music anymore, at least on download services, including iTunes."

Noticeably absent was any mention of the word "dead". TorrentFreak has issued a retraction, writing, "We just learned the RIAA never used the word dead in its reply to the reporter."

The mistake showcases several controversies. The first is the rise in using emails as sources. While misquotes are nothing new in the news industry, they have increased dramatically with email and instant messenger conversations.

The second interesting thing about the mess is that it serves to illustrate the controversy that still surrounds DRM. DRM's proponents say that it is necessary to protect digital works against copyright infringement. Opponents point out that even the best DRM schemes have proven ineffectual in stopping piracy and argue that the technology only hurts legitimate consumers.

DRM appears on the way out, with online download services like Valve's Steam offering DRM-free versions of popular games, and with iTunes having switched to DRM-free music.

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what this really highlights...

By kattanna on 7/21/2009 11:41:17 AM , Rating: 4

is that people, i just cant bring myself to call most people reporting on news sites..reporters, are way to eager to be the FIRST to post, that they dont bother with things like fact checking

RE: what this really highlights...

By Maxima2k2se on 7/21/2009 2:18:41 PM , Rating: 2

if masher ever decides to make a comeback.......

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RE: what this really highlights...

By Hieyeck on 7/21/2009 4:15:11 PM , Rating: 2

Spot on.

From now on, just put a title of some rumor in and have only one word in your content: 'FIRST!'

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RE: what this really highlights...

By deanx0r on 7/22/2009 1:38:49 AM , Rating: 1

http://www.dailytech.com/RIAA+Spokesperson+Declare...

On DT front page, headlines section. Written by the same author, nevertheless.

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RE: what this really highlights...

By someguy123 on 7/22/2009 4:34:25 AM , Rating: 2

this is what happens when you get news from other blogs. it's funny that these blogs gradually taking over when there is seemingly no standards or accountability. hell, many of these blogs could be flat out lying and it really wouldn't matter as long as they get hits.

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RE: what this really highlights...

By kattanna on 7/22/2009 10:17:07 AM , Rating: 2

exactly, it seems to be all about page hits for ad dollars.

which i can understand to a point, they have to pay the bills, but it would be nice if they actually spent time checking facts and such.

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RE: what this really highlights...

By AlexWade on 7/22/2009 1:43:50 PM , Rating: 2

Blogs are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they will post things the mainstream media will never talk about. On the other hand, some of the blogs are less than credible. Although MSM also has credibility issues, it is much less than blogs. The best bet is really to get your news from blogs with proven credibility and, ideally, some sort of proof.

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RE: what this really highlights...

By Lifted on 7/22/2009 10:27:12 PM , Rating: 2

With no update to boot. Quality reporting ehh?

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RE: what this really highlights...

By johnsonx on 7/23/2009 12:45:21 PM , Rating: 2

again, it's Mick... what do you expect?

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Steam

By DanoruX on 7/21/2009 4:25:49 PM , Rating: 2

Steam is DRM, albeit the most pro-consumer one ever.

RE: Steam

By Murst on 7/21/2009 6:49:09 PM , Rating: 2

Pro-consumer DRM?

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RE: Steam

By Hieyeck on 7/22/2009 1:00:05 AM , Rating: 2

It is a management system for digital content (in this case, games in particular, but could easily be expanded to fit movies, etc - they even have a media tab!) that serves the right of the property owner to ensure users have the proper license whilst serving the users right to have it available to him when and however he likes it. It's not perfect, but once software is verified for a user on a computer, it can be run offline. The user can also backup the files (copypasta the GCFs or game folders) - in fact, i find it very convenient that i can just drop into the steam folders between formats. DRM could easily be worse (see SecuROM and other disc protections).

Frankly, if you're posting here and the only complaint is that running offline is finicky... get the hell off dial-up. Even DSL is persistent now.

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DRM will always be needed

By noirsoft on 7/22/2009 6:22:13 PM , Rating: 3

DRM of some flavor will always be around. If you want to have a monthly subscription-based music or movie service, DRM is needed. If you want to be able to rent movies digitally on a PC, DRM is needed. Anything that is time-limited like this will require DRM. DRM May not be used for perpetual-license media (i.e. "purchased" music/movies/games) but will always be around in some form.

RE: DRM will always be needed

By Murst on 7/23/2009 7:30:48 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
If you want to have a monthly subscription-based music or movie service, DRM is needed

Like Sirius XM or Netflix? For things such as downloadable content, currently we have no better alternative that content owners will agree to outside of DRM, but it certainly isn't needed any place else.

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