Chuck D lays down the law on DRM

Passion 09-23-2006

Digital rights management (DRM) has its benefits, but should not overly restrict users, according to musician and mobile entrepreneur Chuck D.

The rapper, who was a founding member of hip hop group Public Enemy and now runs a content service, told delegates at the Mobile Content World conference in London that he had always looked at technology as "something you can apply to a better world if you stay on top of it and don't let it stay on top of you".

"[Napster founder] Shawn Fanning revolutionised the way we get music ” he doesn't get the respect he deserves even today," said Chuck D on Tuesday.

He said he does "believe in some sort of DRM" but pointed out that MP3 was the most popular compression format because it does not limit how the customer can use the file once bought.

"You've got artists who are just starting out who are understanding that DRM is a way of life," Chuck D said, adding that musicians "understand it doesn't have to be the Pirates of Penzance as it was", a reference to the free-for-all early days of Napster and similar P2P engines.

The issue of DRM has become increasingly contentious with the growth of new media distribution services. Some see it as a way to protect the intellectual property of content creators, while others see it as unnecessary infringement by distributors on the rights of the consumer.

BonitaPajarita

Very intersting.
Thanks for sharing this.

If the RIAA and other similar organizations continue to put there money and time towards hunting people down to sue they will be in a money crunch themselves. Especially when they place suits on those that are middle class or lower status and then try to sue them for an outragous amount of money they will never obtain within a 10-20 year time frame. They may get lucky on a few people to get payouts/paybacks but not many.