Re: FN-FORUM: Advice on DRM needed

date posted 6th November 2007 18:25

Thanks, Ben, Dave, Alex and Martin (and anyone whose reply is still on
its way).

This has all been very helpful. I am not yet sure why my client has
brought this up. He has been talking to record companies so it may be
that they have raised the issue. I wanted to discuss it with him from a
more informed point of view and so this advice has helped tremendously.

We are planning to sell MP3s and WAVs at different prices and I think
the way forward is to make the prices reasonable enough so that it is
not worth the effort of trying to steal them but he may have different
ideas.

(Sorry if top-posting a general thank you is not the correct protocol. I
have never been quite sure how to say thanks on forums but just wanted
everyone who posted to know your replies have been useful.)

Anyway, thanks again,
Vicki

Martin Wheatley wrote:
>
> On 06/11/2007 11:18, Vicki Sivess wrote:
>>
>> A client has asked me to look into the possibility of implementing an
>> itunes-like domain rights management system on a forthcoming music
>> downloads part of his website.
>>
>> Knowing little about it I approached it with an open mind and soon
>> discovered it is a very controversial subject.
>>
>> I have read Steve Job's open letter where he says he would take it
>> off itunes if the record companies did not insist on it and I've also
>> read the series of Guardian articles by Cory Doctorow who is
>> vehemently opposed to the concept.
>>
>> I conclude that DRM is a bad idea because, in essence, it
>> inconveniences the honest people who have paid for the music while
>> not stopping dishonest people from stealing it.
>>
>> Is that about it? Has anyone here had a positive experience of using
>> or implementing such a system or are there any important articles I
>> should read on the subject?
>>
>> Regards,
>> Vicki
>>
>
> Any tune will get pirated no matter what DRM you try, most/all of them
> can be worked around in some way or other, DRM also causes problems
> for users who don't have a portable device to play that particular
> format.
>
> The best way to offer music in my opinion is to offer a sliding scale
> in quality vs price, so for example offer the 128kbit mp3 for 50p, but
> offer the 320kbit one at 1 pound, offer the "lossless" formats for
> ý1.50. Your more likely to get sales if there's a cheap version and
> the real fans or audio geeks who like quality will pay the premium for
> the higher quality files. I'd also offer as many formats as possible,
> people like choice.
>
> Martin
>