Long Live DRM Free Media

I want it. I want DRM Free Media. Why? Probably not for the reason you may think. Its not because I want there to be wide spread pirating; that already happens. I want it because it will push media companies out of the plastic age and into the mobile age.

Here's the deal. Few people buy CDa anymore. The reduction in CD sales isn't all pirating. It also has to do with the fact you can buy just about any type of media, be it music or video, digitally and put it on your mobile media device. I mean come on, Verizon and Cingular have basically adopted a marketing plan that says "buy our cellular phone media device, download content from us, and you'll never be without it." Digital media, on the go, anywhere, anytime. You may not like that, but it's reality.

I'm not going to write something that says "if media companies stopped selling their products on disc, the world would be a better place." because it won't be. Why doesn't anyone care about VHS piracy? Because no one watches VHS anymore? Yet companies still produce movies on VHS. Why aren't major record labels trying to keep independents from distributing electronic versions of their albums DRM free instead of on disc?

There has to be a better way; and that way is to increase the actual value of music beyond the song. Here is a thought; HP practically gives away their color laser printers, but charges 3 times the printer cost for toner replacements. They know if you buy a printer, you will need to replace the toner, more often than the printer. How can labels, artists and fans take advantage of that business model? Here's another thought; maybe the song itself has become a commodity. Actors who are smart take a smaller upfront payment for making a moving in exchange for sales of licensed items. If they want more, provide more. I'm not saying this is the answer, but thinking in terms of beyond the song are what I think will push the media industry to the next evolution.

[updated: great article from Engadget here.]