News Archive for 07/02/08

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EMI considers MP3 format

02/08, 9:10pm

EMI mulls offering music without DRM

Apple this week set off a controversial debate with CEO Steve Jobs' open letter on axing music copyright protections, but it may be paying off. According to the The Wall Street Journal, EMI Group PLC has been holding talks with several online retailers about the possibility of selling its entire digital music catalog in the unprotected MP3 format--a music compression format without the digital right management protections for which Apple's chief and others have been arguing.

Warner stands by DRM

02/08, 5:25pm

Warner stands by DRM as revenues plummet

Warner Music Group has rejected the concept of abandoning digital rights management (DRM) as suggested by Apple CEO Steve Jobs in his recent open letter. The Financial Times reports that Warner chief Edgar Bronfman refuted Jobs' open letter advocating the end of DRM, attacking Jobs' statement as "completely without logic or merit" as part of the music company's latest quarterly earnings conference call. Bronfman reasserted the idea that DRM is necessary to the survival of his label's business, comparing it to the protections already in place for DVDs and computer software. Warner made the statement as the company simultaneously coped with an especially harsh decline in its financial results, reporting revenues last quarter that fell a whopping 74 percent compared to the same period a year ago, with even online-only downloads experiencing a slower than expected growth.

Scion iPod integration

02/08, 3:00pm

Scion tC offers standard iPod connectivity

Scion today announced that its entire 2008 lineup will come with standard iPod connectivity. The 160-watt maximum output Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio system features a head unit with iPod control that integrates track, artist, and album information from the iPod into a one-line display on the head unit's screen. "Connectivity is achieved by simply plugging the iPod into a port via a connector cable, providing outstanding sound quality through the car's stereo system and constant power to the iPod. Music is controlled through the head unit and steering wheel audio controls. A standard mini-jack port also allows users to listen to their portable music collection through the tC's Pioneer speakers." The Scion tC also comes with standard rear head unit outputs that allow for external amps to boost power to the front and rear speakers, and subwoofers.

RIAA on Jobs' letter

02/08, 2:30pm

RIAA suggests Apple open up FairPlay

Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) chairman and chief executive Mitch Bainwol has rejected Apple CEO Steve Jobs' plea to remove the requirement of digital rights management (DRM) from digital music, suggesting instead that the Cupertino-based company instead open up its FairPlay DRM to competitors. Bainwol argues that the move would allow more consumers to make use of the iTunes Store to play tracks on portable players other than the iPod. "We have no doubt that a technology company as sophisticated and smart as Apple could work with the music community to make that happen," the chairman said. Apple in unlikely to act upon Bainwol's suggestion, however, as Jobs hinted in his letter that disseminating FairPlay to other companies is a dangerous game that would seriously increase the odds that the standard would be hacked, according to the Associated Press.