News Archive for 06/12/15

Choose an article from the archive listing on this page or refine your selection using the controls in the gray box below.

Bill Gates: DRM 'causes pain' for users

12/15, 6:35pm

Gates: DRM 'causes pain'

Former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates has said that he objects to current applications of digital rights management (DRM). The comment comes in spite of Microsoft's inclusion of DRM measures in the Zune and Windows Vista, however. Speaking at the Microsoft campus, Gates recently told a bloggers' convention that DRM restrictions "cause too much pain for legitimate users," hampering devices with arbitrary limits, and imposing usage rights that might not be understood. Gates further noted that he would rather consumers buy and rip music CDs for the time being, though he does believe that alternate business models are possible -- one suggestion was paying for unlimited access to an artist's songs, according to Electronista.

CBS revives music label for TV, iTunes

12/15, 3:30pm

CBS Records on iTunes

CBS is reviving its long-defunct CBS Records label in an attempt at synergistic profits, according to the Associated Press. The company plans to insert label artists into TV shows, which are also seen on networks such as NBC, CW, and USA Network. The move will allow consumers to purchase music at the iTunes Music Store, which CBS hopes will prove to be the first among several online stores to carry its tracks. Other deals are said to be forthcoming, and the network is relying on partnerships with existing record labels for releases on conventional compact discs. Will Dailey -- who has a song featured in the CBS drama "Jericho" -- is one of the first musicians with the new label.