A Copyfighter’s Musings

With iTunes Europe now upon us, I figured I’d plug the Berkman Center’s iTunes Case Study once more.  We paid particular attention to how copyright and other relevant laws differ around the world and can impact iTunes and its users.  The case study is a draft green paper, and the Digital Media Project welcomes all comments.

Filed by Derek Slater at 11:21 pm under General news
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About a month ago, there were rumors that the record labels had forced Apple to increase its iTunes prices.  Steve Jobs and Apple immediately rebutted those claims.  With the launch of iTunes Europe, I wonder if the unnamed source got some basic facts right but missed certain important details.  iTunes Europe pricing is above the 99 cent per song price, with prices of €0.99 (roughly $1.20) and

Filed by Derek Slater at 11:17 pm under General news
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Ernest points to a couple new items in which Steve Jobs puts on his Hollywood hat and decides that innovation should slow down until DRM can (if ever) catch up.  I saw a related quote from the Mossberg interview on Paidcontent and got a chance to cross-check it today:

“Mr. Mossberg: A lot of music is likely to be available in formats I can’t play on my iPod today.

Mr. Jobs: Like what?

Mr. Mossberg: Like [Microsoft Corp.'s] Windows Media Format. Why should I as a consumer have to have a limitation on my device because you have a religious war with [Microsoft Chairman] Bill Gates? Are you against consumer choice?

Mr. Jobs: No. Right now we’ve got a choice to make ourselves, which is should we spend our energy enhancing the music store and enhancing the iPod in the format that has 70% of the business or should we take some of that energy and stop innovating and go back and try to play Windows Media, which has 30% or less of the market. And we’ve chosen right now to go with the 70% format. We really believe that we can innovate much more if we control that technology. [emphasis added]

Mr. Mossberg: So what if they get to 50%?

Mr. Jobs: Well, then let’s talk again.”

Sounds kinda similar to Sony.  He wants to control the technology, and I don’t think he means that narrowly in the sense of just the iPod – he means the player (and other ancillary) markets.  Yes, Apple may be able to innovate much more, but not everyone else will.

Filed by Derek Slater at 11:01 pm under General news
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