Jobs slams DRM, major record labels in manifesto

If you ask me, one of the most underused tools in the modern man's arsenal is the manifesto. Think about it. Who can you name who has penned a quality manifesto during the past few years? The unabomber? That Yahoo peanut butter guy? Well, leave it to Steve Jobs to resurrect a dead art form. In a move that's sure to excite fanboys the world over, Jobs posted an open letter on Apple's website, titled, quite simply, "Thoughts on Music." Those of you hoping to read about Jobs's love for Cheap Trick will be disappointed, however: the manifesto calls out the major record labels for their contradictory and ineffective use of DRM (Digital Rights Management) and declares that when the labels finally see the light, "Apple will embrace [DRM-free downloads] wholeheartedly."

The impetus for the manifesto was likely recent reports that painted Apple as DRM's chief proponent, since the company sells more DRM-encrusted jams than just about anyone else. Jobs goes out of his way in the manifesto to make it immaculately clear: DRM was a necessary condition that Apple had to agree to in order to license music, not a choice. The time has come, however, for the labels to give up the ghost--DRM is ineffective at curbing piracy, costly and does little to encourage online music sales. "Why would the big four music companies agree to let Apple and others distribute their music without using DRM systems to protect it?" Jobs asks, rhetorically. "The simplest answer is because DRMs haven't worked, and may never work, to halt music piracy." Despite the fact that this is likely a reactionary move designed to protect Apple's consumer-friendly image, I'm glad that a major player in the industry is finally coming out and saying what needs to be said (let's face it, some folks just don't have as much industry clout).

While it's true that we've seen a few of the majors experimenting with DRM-free files recently, the music industry has historically proven itself slow-moving and extremely resistant to change, especially where it concerns the reigning business model (i.e. locking artists into exploitative contracts and selling CDs for a huge markup). I've always maintained that there are few compelling reasons for purchasing music online when the same thing can be had for essentially the same price, DRM-free, on a CD--or completely free-of-charge on that thing we call the Internet. Now that Steve Jobs is the one saying it, hopefully the powers that be will listen.

To read the manifesto:
- check out Jobs's "Thoughts on Music" at Apple's website
- and the obligatory counterpoint at Ars Technica