Music Execs Blame Jobs

Apple CEO Steve Jobs' attempt to call for the removal of DRM has backfired, according to reactions by panel members at a conference yesterday. Speaking at the Digital Music Forum East conference, multiple participants in the discussion specifically critized the Apple executive's open letter, calling it a "red herring" that distracted from the real issue of Apple's FairPlay copy protection shutting out other stores and device makers.

"I don't think anybody is necessarily down on Apple," said Ruckus music store chief Mike Bebel. "The problem is the proprietary implementation of technology... and it's causing everybody else who is participating in the marketplace -- the other service providers, the labels, the users -- a lot of pain. If they could simply open it up, everybody would love them."

The director of music consulting at TAG Strategic, Ted Cohen, echoed sentiments by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and challenged Jobs to prove his sincerity by releasing Disney movies without FairPlay restrictions in place. The Apple leader holds the most shares of any individual stakeholder involved with the entertainment company.

Those who supported DRM also contradicted Jobs and said that at least some form of digital rights management was needed. Sony-BMG senior VP Thomas Gewecke said that his music label was aware of the problems caused by DRM and was actively searching for a technical solution that would please both sides.

Nonetheless, at least one critic held to his position. Greg Scholl, who runs music label The Orchard, flatly stated that neither Gewecke nor Jobs' positions could hold given their damaging effect on the user experience.

"The idea that DRM gives us choice isn't right," Scholl asserted. [via CNET]

By Electronista Staff

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