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Music Retailers Call for Interoperable Digital Rights Management

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 4, 2006 - 12:28pm.
Marlton, N.J. - The National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM), a trade group of music and entertainment retailers, this week released a statement calling for interoperable digital rights management (DRM) systems for online music retailers. The statement was aimed indirectly at Apple, whose iTunes Store prevents consumers from listening to purchased songs on devices other than its own iPods. "If consumers are discouraged by compatibility constraints and conflicts, we fear they will be less inclined to purchase more music and other digital entertainment content, and may instead choose illegal options," the statement reads. "While necessary, DRM systems and standards should not compromise these experiences and erode the very consumer confidence that is essential to achieving the full potential of digital delivery." NARM's members, who include Best Buy, Wal-Mart wholesalers and Borders, account for 85% of the music sold in the U.S. The NARM statement further urged the content and hardware communities to investigate new alternatives to current DRM if compatibility cannot be achieved.

http://tinyurl.com/ppob8 (NARM statement)
tags: Tech | Music | Commerce | MP3 | DRM | iTunes | Retail | Standards | NARM |



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