Music Industry Misses the Point

Despite what many analysts say:

"Clearly, DRM is not working," said Ted Schadler, an analyst at Forrester Research. "It sends a message to the customer that 'we don't trust you.'"

Phil Leigh, senior analyst at Inside Digital Media, suggested that removing copy restraints would give the labels' music more exposure.

"Digital music has entered the mainstream," Leigh said. "The restrictions (the labels) require Apple and others to carry are preventing the market from developing to its full potential - it's retarding the growth."

the music industry has decided to place the DRM blame back on Jobs and Apple for their refusal to license FairPlay to enable non-iPods to play iTunes music. If the rumor is really true that iTunes may soon offer DRM-less Beatles tunes, this entire debate may be moot. It'll be fun to see what happens. Keep your fingers crossed.