The music industry’s attempts to lock down digital media failed in the past. So, rather than take a hint from the music biz failures. Hollywood is trying again. They’re back for more.
From the LA Times:
The ecosystem envisioned by Singer et al revolves around a common set of formats, interfaces and other standards. Devices built to the DECE specifications would be able to play any DECE-branded content and work with any DECE-certified service. The goal is to create for downloads the same kind of interoperability that’s been true for physical products, such as CDs and DVDs. Where it gets really interesting, though, is the group’s stated intention to make digital files as flexible and permissive as CDs, at least within the confines of someone’s personal domain. Once you’ve acquired a file, you could play it on any of your devices — if it couldn’t be passed directly from one DECE-ready device to another, you’d be allowed to download additional copies. And when you’re away from home, you could stream the file to any device with a DECE-compatible Web browser.
Same crap different day.
I used to use Napster and the like years ago. And my music collection swelled. Not because I was pilfering music. Quite the contrary. I would find music that I enjoyed and subsequently bought the albums.
The entertainment field is constantly in a reaction mode rather than looking forward when it comes to digital media. I remember during my interview for MCA Records back in ’94 where my future boss asked me where I saw the music industry going in 10 years. I looked at him and said, “online”. “I don’t know how it will happen but, it’ll be online”. He laughed and said, “It’ll never happen”. I’d love to run into him again. I think that would be an amusing reunion.
For me anyway.
[tags]DRM, DECE, Napster, Digital Media[/tags]
