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EMI to say goodbye to DRM?
Early today we posted about tomorrow's EMI press conference in London featuring the one and only Steve Jobs. May people thought this could mean that the Beatles music catalog would be coming to the iTunes store. While this would be interesting, the Wall Street Journal reports that EMI is doing something much more interesting than simply adding the Beatles to iTunes.According to the Wall Street Journal (the whole article requires a log in) EMI has decided to offer a significant portion of its music catalog sans DRM. That's right, one of the Major Labels (notice those capital letters) is taking Steve up on his thoughts on DRM. Let's hope that the other Labels (and movie studios) follow suit. DRM is cold comfort to content creators, and an annoyance to legitimate consumers.[via Daring Fireball]
EMI/Apple press event on Monday
Could this be the introduction of Beatles music in the iTunes Store?According to the BBC, Apple sent a notice to certain members of the press on Sunday (except TUAW, for some strange reason) inviting them to a press event in London for this Monday. Expected to attend are Steve Jobs, EMI representatives and a special artist or band who will offer a live performance. Plus, the invite teases an "...exciting new digital offering." Hmmm.Apple, Inc. and Apple Corps settled their dispute back in February, and several months ago Steve issued this invitation:"..We have always loved the Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store...We are glad to put this disagreement behind us."Thanks, Fraser!Update: Before we get too excited, let's remember today's date. Though that would be a mean trick.
Steve Jobs presenting in London at EMI event, Beatles rumors flow again
Looks like El Jobso is coming out of his busy, busy office in Cupertino to, of all things, present "exciting new digital offering" at an EMI media event in London. Now, EMI is, as many know, where much of The Beatles catalogue resides, and none of that music has ever been made available online; we've long heard rumors of Apple getting the digital exclusive -- especially since Apple Corps and Apple, Inc. have settled their differences -- so to you, dear reader, we submit this: wouldn't any kind of real Beatles fan already have all the cuts on vinyl or CD -- or at least have downloaded or copied all they need? And hell, anyone who doesn't already have this stuff can always go pick it up relatively cheaply at any local record store and rip it -- at least then you won't have to deal with the DRM. In other words: we're still not sure why we should care about the world's most ubiquitous rock band selling music on the world's most ubiquitous digital download service in an all out DRM-love-in.[Thanks, Josh]
CE-Oh no he didn't! Part XXV - Warner CEO Bronfman calls Jobs' DRM stance "completely without logic or merit."
While EMI might be giving the concept of DRM-free online music sales a bit of thought, it doesn't sound like Warner Music is digging the idea in the slightest. "We advocate the continued use of DRM," said CEO Edgar Bronfman during the Q&A portion of an earnings conference call on Thursday. "The notion that music does not deserve the same protection as software, film, video games or other intellectual property, simply because there is an unprotected legacy product in the physical world, is completely without logic or merit." Edgar apparently couldn't be troubled to spell out exactly what's illogical by the stance espoused by Steve Jobs in his open letter to the industry, but he did decry Steve's method itself: "Frankly, manifestos in advance of those discussions is counter-productive." Wait, does that mean that you were considering getting rid of DRM, but Jobs ruined it all with a whiny letter? Or do you mean that because of his actions you're going to slap your tracks with even more cumbersome DRM just to teach us what happens when people attempt to dissent? We're so confused.
EMI reportedly contemplating DRM-free music
While it's unclear what role, if any, Steve Jobs' recent manifesto on the subject may have played in the decision, The Wall Street Journal has apparently gotten word that number-three music company EMI is currently in talks with a number of online retailers about the possibility of selling its music as DRM-free MP3s. Exactly which online retailers, however, is unclear, with the Journal (via the Chicago Sun-Times) reporting only that EMI is asking them to submit proposals by Thursday detailing how big an advance payment they'd be willing to offer in exchange for the right to sell their music without DRM. The Journal also added that "several major music companies" have also recently "floated the idea" of doing away with DRM, but none had apparently gone as far as EMI. As the Sun Times points out, EMI has already dipped its toes into DRM-free territory, selling a number of singles without copy-protection for a buck apiece. Should a deal actually come out of this latest development, however, the doors could soon be blown open to cover EMI's entire catalog, including both Duran Duran and Iron Maiden.[Via Slashdot]
Rumors: EMI may sell (more) unprotected MP3s
EMI, home to Cold Play, the Rolling Stones, and the Beastie Boys, has experimented before with DRM-free MP3. They've released DRM-less singles by Norah Jones, Lily Allen and Relient K. According to a Forbes report, EMI spokeswoman Jeanne Meyer said "The results of those experiments were very positive, and the fan feedback has been very enthusiastic." Now EMI is looking to take the next step. An unnamed Forbes source says that EMI has solicited proposals from their retailers to tell the company how they would offer DRM-free MP3s. The retailers would offer large advances in exchange for the right to sell MP3s. EMI will weigh whether to continue forward with the scheme based on the size of the offers, and the Forbes source said a decision from EMI about going forward with the scheme could be made quickly. Are the dams breaking? Or is this just more hopeful rumors in the wake of Steve Job's recent open letter? Only time will tell.
EMI Music starts selling DRM-free music
Remember how we told you that Sony had hinted that "DRM would become less important" just a few days ago? Well, it appears that Stan Glasgow's quip wasn't just empty rhetoric. Late last night the wires lit up with reports that EMI Music has begun selling music tracks sans DRM for a buck apiece from Yahoo's online music service, becoming one of the few major labels to take the plunge into unrestricted territory. Of course, Sony dabbled with DRM-free tunes this past summer by releasing a song by Jessica Simpson, and Disney released an entire album by Jesse McCartney -- so consider these baby steps, folks. Meanwhile, if you want DRM-free music from the iTunes Store, you'll have to do it the old-fashioned way.[Thanks, aneet]
EMI Music UK offers paid video downloads on small site
The record label, EMI Music UK, has recently announced their efforts to bring their music videos to PSP owners through a fairly small site, psp-playlist.com. "PSP owners are substantial in number and content hungry," said Graeme Rogan, commercial manager of digital media for EMI Music UK, speaking to GI.biz.The videos cost 1.89, and don't appear to use any DRM encryption of any kind. Considering how amateur the site looks, I highly doubt that this will really take off. [Via DCemu]
EMI puts your medical history on a digital business card
While having your entire catalog of medical issues on your person at all times would sure come in handy if your GPS leads you into a body of water or you get mangled by a Japanese Land Walker, implanting an RFID data chip underneath your skin could (understandably) sound a bit extreme. While digital medical records and emergency panic buttons are certainly swell, EMI's 911 rCard places every quirk and prior health issue you've ever had onto a single wallet-sized card, which can be viewed immediately by any medical personnel that would need pertinent information statinum. The "vivid, full color LCD" can display everything from medical charts to photos / text describing the patient's history, and sports a built-in battery that can handle "about two hours" of constant viewing before it needs recharging. Boasting USB connectivity, users can continually update and upload new information from their EMI web portal onto the rCard, including any mild injuries sustained during last week's campouts. The 911 rCard is available now for $79.95, which includes a USB cable / charger and the first year of website access, while additional years of data storage and interfacing will run you $20.[Via EverythingUSB]
Jobs signs four major labels to 99c downloads
Looks like this is shaping up to be a good week for Apple and their digital music business -- after the French government effectively eviscerated the iPod DRM bill, it was reported that EMI, Sony BMG, Universal, and Warner Music have all renewed their contracts to sell music on the iTunes Music Store at the standard, flat $0.99 per track rate (that was supposedly settled on before), instead of that yucko variable pricing scheme that would have had consumers paying more for new music, and less for older tracks. It basically sounds like Jobs himself reigns victorious over putting these music execs in their place and bending them his will, but who knows how long he'll be able to stave off their pricing tactics. Something eventually has to give between the irresistable force that is the record labels and the immovable object that is iTunes; who knows how it'll all play out when this new contract is up (whenever that is).
Live next to a power station? Gefen's all-fiber DVI and HDMI cables are for you
If you're concerned about the EMI (electromagnetic interference) monster behind your TV interfering with your pristine digital HDTV signal, or just like putting your TV 100 feet away from the source, Gefen has got the cable for you. Made out of all fiber, it is extremely resistant to degradation due to length and interference, and extends the cables well past other manufacturers limits. Wireless or wired, Gefen seems to have HDMI for every possible occasion.Of course, you're going to pay for the privilege, no price listed for HDMI but the DVI cables start at $400 and go up to the thousands depending on length.
