Gizmodo
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drm
Kindle DRM Surfaces To Deny User the Books He's Bought and Paid For
Amazon needs to work on its Kindle DRM policy, because the following story is ridiculous. More »
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58
By Jack LoftusComment by GlenTen: That iPhone 4G sounds sweet. How do you recharge it? 7 Responses | Other threads
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music
Universal and Virgin Offering Unlimited DRM-Free MP3s For Flat Monthly Rate
British cable operator Virgin Media is set to offer up an unlimited music download subscription program with Universal that would give you access to DRM-free MP3s as long as you pay a set monthly fee. More »
8,953
By Adam FrucciComment by Mike Zuniga: Has no one heard of the Zune Pass? 11 Responses | Other threads
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blu-ray
Blu-ray Managed Copy Full-Res Backups Are Only Good in Theory
The idea behind Blu-ray Managed Copy sounds good—it'll let you make one full-res backup copy of a Blu-ray disc, and studios are required to support it beginning next year. But needing brand new hardware is just the start. More » -
napster
Napster's New Pitch: Five DRM-Free Songs, Unlimited Streaming, $5 A Month
When Best Buy gobbled up Napster, Adam wondered what they could possibly do to make their expensive new liability relevant again. The answer? Go cheap. Very cheap.
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22,028
By John HerrmanComment by xenoastro: somehow i think there is a 100 paged PDF somewhere with the unreadable fine print :? and what consequence will it... 10 Responses | Other threads
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listening test
How We Listen: A Timeline of Audio Formats
Humans have been writing music for at least as long as we've been recording history. It was storing it that took a little more time. Here are all the ways we've done it to date: More » -
kindle
Surprise! If Your Amazon Account Dies, It Takes Your Kindle With It
If you've read why you don't own your digital books anymore, you're probably not shocked to learn—unlike one unfortunate Kindle owner—if your Amazon account is suspended, your Kindle loses half its functionality. More »
13,155
Comment by MikeSWelch: Oh look Steam is down. I have no games. Damn, iTunes is down, I have no music or movies. Shit, Amazon... 13 Responses | Other threads
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apple
Apple Developer Agreement Forbids Writing Jailbreak and DRM Cracking Apps
Developers signing on to the iPhone SDK program are now expressly forbidden from writing iPhone apps that can be installed via jailbreak, or any software for any Apple technology that messes with security or DRM. More »
10,327
Comment by Linux chief hardware engineer: They need to crack down on this. Over 3,000 apps have been cracked and ported. Its horrible how much hard work... 29 Responses | Other threads
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real freedom
Tired of iTunes Thugs Ruining Your Movies? Did you know that U can Have Real True Personal Freedom?
Wired and the Lifehacker wants—and can!—to show you the path to real iTunes autonomy with DVD movie discs, for freedom, for free!*. More »
12,048
By John HerrmanComment by OMG! Ponies!: Hello all. In the past several weeks I have seen nothing but bitterness and enmity among the commenters. Be it... 10 Responses | Other threads
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itunes
iTunes HD Movies Won't Play on Older Non-HDCP Monitors
If you dropped $20 on an HD movie from iTunes since they came out yesterday, but have a newer Mac and an older external display, you might not be able to watch it. More » -
how to
How To: Rip Blu-ray Discs
Included digital copies are still the exception rather than the norm in the Blu-ray world. Lame. You'd like to rip those discs for playback elsewhere, right? But there is something you should know first. More » -
file sharing
RIAA and BSA's Favorite Lawyers Taking Top Department of Justice Posts
RIAA-fan Biden's influence in the Obama administration may be larger than anticipated, at least when it comes to file sharing: His good pals with RIAA and BSA connections keep getting Department of Justice's seats. More »
18,308
By Jesus DiazComment by N@tedog: You voted for the guy. Reap what you sow. 18 Responses | Other threads
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itunes
Steve Jobs Bullied Record Execs Into iTunes Deal on Christmas Eve
While Steve Jobs wasn't personally at Macworld to reveal that iTunes was going DRM-free and OTA downloadable, he's the one who made it happen—he bullied Sony Music's chairman over the phone on Christmas Eve. More »
18,197
Comment by djfoxx64: As a musician, I'd like to remind everyone music is art, not a commodity. Fuck Jobs and fuck the labels, both... 24 Responses | Other threads
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piracy
Microsoft Says Former Employee Spied On Them For His Startup Company
The guys at SeattlePi have uncovered a bit of espionage going on in Redmond. According to Microsoft, a former employee took a position with the company in order to spy on them for his startup. More »
30,548
By Sean FallonComment by 3DaysTillTheState_GitEmSteveDave: So they needed inside information about how to screw up an OS? I kid, I kid. 7 Responses | Other threads
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itunes
You Can Now Upgrade Your iTunes Library One Track or Album at a Time
Though we're glad iTunes went DRM-free, we were pissed you had to upgrade your entire collection to DRM-less, 256kbps bliss. But now you can upgrade individual tracks (30 cents each) or albums (prices vary). [iLounge]
8,381
Comment by UnexpectedEOF: I don't get why this couldn't have been available at the start 16 Responses | Other threads
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itunes
iTunes Wants $250 To Upgrade My Music Collection (Or the Deal's Off)
I knew I had a full-blown music-purchasing problem when I went to "upgrade" my iTunes collection—raising the quality and stripping the pestilential DRM—and the grand total came to an all-or-nothing $250. More » -
itunes
Yep, iTunes Embeds Your Email Address in DRM-Free Tracks, Move Along
Yes, iTunes embeds your email address in its DRM-free iTunes Plus files, which now make up the entire iTunes store. But don't panic—it's been like this since iTunes Plus launched. More »
21,951
Comment by Hyperplasia: Gotta love Apple! Thank you Amazon MP3! Higher quality. Cheaper prices. None of the BS. 31 Responses | Other threads
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apple
As Macworld Fades Into CES...
As our warriors move from the beachheads of SF to the trenches of LV, here's today's recap, and reminder that thewarweek is far from over: More »
14,304
Comment by inspiredEpic: I see no reason to upgrade from iLife '08 to iLife '09, likewise with iWork. Heck, screw iWork, I use Office... 7 Responses | Other threads
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macworld 2009
iTunes Gets DRM Free, New Prices, Purchase Over 3G
iTunes is going DRM free and breaking their single-price rule with three points: 69 cents, 99 cents, and $1.29. Not surprised, given the pressure from other music stores. The iPhone will allow 3G downloads too. More »
43,343
By Jesus DiazComment by akashhhhh: I <3 my Zune subscription service. I'm surprised there isn't a subscription offering from iTunes yet, honestly. 50 Responses | Other threads
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unconfirmed
Apple Makes DRM Deal with Big Three Music Labels, Plus 3G Downloads Coming?
According to CNET sources, Apple has signed deals with Sony BMG, Universal, and Warner to bring flexibly-priced DRM-free music to iTunes while simultaneously introducing music downloads to the iPhone's 3G service. More »
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By Mark WilsonComment by OMG! Ponies!: That's it? Sorry but "flexible-priced DRM-free" pales in comparison to "$15 per month for all the music you want". 15 Responses | Other threads
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blu-ray
New BD+ Blu-ray Copy Protection Cracked Months Ahead of Schedule
The robust update Blu-ray's BD+ copy protection that was gonna take three months to crack was just busted by Slysoft, months ahead of schedule. Wanna guess what's gonna happen to the next BD+ update? [Inquirer] -
giz explains
Giz Explains: Everything You Wanted to Know About DRM
Condensed explanation: Digital rights management is a corporate pain in the ass that stops you from doing whatever you want with music and movies in the name of fighting piracy. But there's more to it. -
piracy
RIAA Jerks To Stop Suing Individuals For Online Piracy
Whether you're a pratin' granny, single mom or a full-on haxxor, you no longer have to dread waking up to an RIAA summons. They still might rat you out to your ISP, though.
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By John MahoneyComment by armendni: who are these "major" providers??? I want to see what this e-mail looks like, "Dear Paying customer, someone has... 12 Responses | Other threads
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blu-ray
Studios Win Battle in Blu-ray DRM, Still Losing the War
One of Blu-ray's touted technologies—for studios—was that even if its copy protection was busted, it could be updated in future titles, requiring a new set of cracks. A November update is their most iron-clad yet. More » -
rumor
Is iTunes Ditching DRM Tomorrow?
Speculation aboutifwhen iTunes would score DRM-free tracks from all major studios like Amazon and Walmart do has been rampant, but according to a rumor at AppleInsider, all this speculation may come to an end tomorrow. More »
35,670
Comment by iReckoning: Imagine that, a world in which Apple doesn't take absolute power over everything it sells... It seems almost too good to... 12 Responses | Other threads
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better than nothing
HDCP Restrictions Rolled Back on New MacBooks
One part of the new MacBook experience that didn't exactly seem like much of an upgrade was the addition of HDCP for the new DisplayPort video connector, which left users unable to watch iTunes DRMed video content—HD or SD—on non-HDCP compliant external displays. This morning Apple released an update to ease the pain: protected SD content will now play on older DVI and VGA-connected displays. It's a step in the right direction, but the real mistake here probably wasn't including SD content under the HDCP umbrella—it was cramming the DRM tech into the laptops in the first place. [MacRumors]
3,371
By John HerrmanComment by Moargazm: When will people learn that the only thing a macbook is good for, is looking like a hip douchebag while... 8 Responses | Other threads
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music
How I Plan to Taste Music
I haven't attained new music very regularly in years since the days I actually respected FM content. Between the modern choice—buying tracks, subscribing to a service or stealing it—I'm just not getting enough exposure to try before I download. Last night, things changed in a way that I hope paves the way for the future of buying music. More »
14,413
By Brian LamComment by ice_cold_irony: I got gifted a Zune yesterday and spent half the night trying to get my Macbook to do anything with... 3 Responses | Other threads
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HDCP Sucks
New MacBooks Have HDCP, Gives iTunes Purchases Less Freedom
High Definition Content Protection—the annoying DRM-y thing that's supposed to stop people from copying hi-def stuff as it travels over a card-display connector— has apparently, and unfortunately, come to Apple's MacBooks. HDCP is now included on new MacBooks to protect iTunes Store media, though it seems that only some of the content is actually HDCP-aware. A high school teacher was unable to play Hellboy 2 on his classroom's projector with his new aluminum MacBook, but other purchased media (such as Stargate: Continuum and Heroes episodes) worked just fine. Perfect. Because copyright protection is all about inconveniencing those who actually bought their stuff legally? [Ars Technica]
17,448
By Elaine ChowComment by Spyrojoe: Not that I'm pro-DRM or anything, but wouldn't playing a movie on a projector for a class be illegal unless... 20 Responses | Other threads
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drm
Sony To Bring DRM-Free Music to iTunes, Says Rumor
Word is that Sony is going to be joining EMI in Apple's iTunes Plus. That's theextra-cost,higher-MP3-quality DRM-free option in iTunes. EMI's currently the only major label in iTunes Plus, so the addition of Sony would be a major coup for Apple to say the least. This is just a rumor though, so watch this space. [9 to 5 Mac via TechDigest]
1,439
By Kit EatonComment by Kaiser-Machead: If Apple can get more labels to offer DRM-free, or hopefully get all of them, I'd pretty much buy iTunes... 8 Responses | Other threads
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drm
EA Recommends Users Guess Their Serial Numbers
A few gamers who purchased Command and Conquer Red Alert 3 encountered a problem with their installs—EA had misprinted some of the serial numbers needed for activation. While the necessary code was 20 characters long, they'd only printed 19-character codes. More »
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By Mark WilsonComment by eebs: Rofl, EA is the worst thing to happen to gaming since WoW. 8 Responses | Other threads
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walmart
Walmart Changes Mind on DRM, Keeps Servers Running
When Walmart made a special effort to remind us why DRM'd music should always be avoided by shutting down their authentication servers, the response must have been deafening. The world's largest retailer has decided to maintain its digital rights management servers for the present time “based on feedback from [its] customers,” otherwise known as "the interminable wrath of the internet." I'm guessing a flood of emails with compelling arguments like "don't destroy my legally purchased music" and "I hate you" had something to do with the decision. More »
4,663
By Elaine ChowComment by colarmac: Yes, I hate drm, why walmart can't just let people re-download the music without the drm? I have to use... 1 Responses | Other threads
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realdvd
RealNetworks Barred From Selling RealDVD Ever Again
Last week a judge put a temporary ban on the sale of RealNetworks' DVD backup program RealDVD, claiming that it violated the DMCA. The court has decided to uphold the ban indefinitely, and judging by the tone and nature of the judge's statements, it doesn't sound like they'll ever change their mind. More » -
realdvd
Surprise: RealNetworks Banned from Selling RealDVD Copying Software
After being oh-so-predictably sued by six movie studios, RealNetworks is now just as predictably banned by a judge from selling its weirdly anachronistic DVD-ripping RealDVD program. At least until Tuesday, so the judge can review the filings to determine just how boneheaded it is. More » -
copyright
RealNetworks Sued for DVD Copying Software That Nobody Wanted Anyway
Almost reflexively, six studios have filed suit against RealNetworks for their brand-new DVD copying software. RealDVD, as it is (was?) called, was tepidly received on account of crippling DRM which only allows for viewing of a ripped DVD on one PC, precluding the portability that might account for someone wanting to rip a DVD in the first place. That uselessness is precisely why these suits are so interesting; it's difficult to see what the studios—Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Columbia Pictures, the Walt Disney Company and Sony— actually think they stand to lose. More »
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By John HerrmanComment by weatherman: I don't think you're giving Real enough credit here. Real has put out a piece of software that may not... 6 Responses | Other threads
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FairPlay DRM
Norway Forgets Who They're Dealing With, Demands Apple Open Up FairPlay DRM (Again)
Norway is ostensibly big on neutrality, even when it gets them invaded and pulverized, so it's not surprisingly it hates Apple's FairPlay DRM, which only lets songs play on iPods. It even has a law requiring that consumers be able to use digital media with whatever device they choose, which FairPlay obviously pees all over. After a lovely chat with Apple in February, not much has changed, so gentle Norway is going to play war against Apple over FairPlay for the rest of hapless Europe. More »
5,326
Comment by alphadog00: I just don't buy DRM content. Amazon sells unprotected MP3 cheaper then iTunes. I just import them into iTunes.... 3 Responses | Other threads
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walmart
Walmart Shutting Down Music Store DRM Servers, Umpteenth Reminder to Not Buy DRM'd Content
Like Yahoo and MSN before them, Walmart is turning off its DRM servers on Oct. 9, effectively putting any DRM'd songs you bought from them into a cold stasis they'll never wake up from, since they'll become totally unmovable unless you circumvent the DRM. Walmart went through this earlier with their video store, though it didn't matter since no one bought anything from it. Walmart's music store is DRM-free now, though I doubt that's any consolation to people who actually paid for music that's now nigh useless. More »
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Comment by tenio: Can someone help me out, how is this not illegal? I mean one buys a song, NOT just the song on... 6 Responses | Other threads
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psn
PlayStation 3 Movies Can Only Be Redownloaded Once
I'm not sure how many of you are buying (aka not renting) movies from Sony's PlayStation 3 video store, but to those who are willing to drop $15 on a permanent, DRM'd digital product, know that Sony only allows you to redownload these products one time. More »
5,311
By Mark WilsonComment by BroWren: Yeesh, do any of you actually even own a PS3? Backing it up is easy. Copying videos to the PSP... 4 Responses | Other threads
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DRM absurdities
Apple Patents DRM For Pairing Only Official Nike Shoes With Nike+ Sensor
Everyone knows joggers can make the worst criminals—look at them, all smug with their fitness, rubbing it in your face on the sidewalk in front of your house as they make a quick and effortless getaway from whatever malfeasance they've just hoisted on an innocent and unsuspecting car-preferring public. And the intellectual property violations? Boy, don't get me started. But now those degenerates may be getting what's been coming—the days of pairing Nike+ with shoes other than those made by Nike may be numbered, if a recent Apple patent has anything to say about it. More »
6,306
By John MahoneyComment by Serolf Divad: Patent #7234658723458234723487 Method of pairing Steve Jobs' lips and my ass. 2 Responses | Other threads
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drm
Industry Leaders Developing "Buy Once, Play Anywhere" Standard For Digital Media
Many of the big guns in Hollywood, technology and retailing have joined forces to create the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE) LLC—a consortium focused on building "a new digital media framework using industry standards" that will "enable consumers to acquire and play content across a wide range of services and devices." In a nutshell, the DECE hopes to create a system where users can download content, playback that content on compliant branded products and possibly store that media in a "virtual library" to be accessed at home or on the road. Unfortunately, I see a few problems with all of this. More » -
apple
Defective by Design Douches Take Up Genius Bar Slots to Whine About DRM
Look, I hate DRM as much as anyone. But Defective by Design's latest anti-DRM campaign is supremely douchey. They're calling on supporters to book as many slots as possible at Genius Bars around the world this Friday and Saturday—where people go to get their busted Apple prettywares fixed—to complain about DRM in order to "get Apple's attention and ensure that the Geniuses have done their homework." You know, and be giant dickbags. More »
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Comment by nephroth: Well, they *are* making appointments which means that the mom and child just wouldn't have been able to come to... more » | Other threads
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iphone apps
iPhone App Store Games Hacked - All Apps Hackable
Apple's Fairplay DRM, which protects all the applications you download from iTunes, has been hacked. The method for hacking this has actually been around for a while, but has been recently applied to Super Monkey Ball and distributed into the wild. To do this, you'll need a jailbroken iPhone and SSH installed (to transfer the game and to fiddle with permissions). The theory is a bit techy and complex, but the execution isn't too insane if you know your way around XCode and the command line.
More »
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By Jason ChenComment by xxdesmus: the hacked apps are working great :) more » | Other threads
drm
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