Gates: Digital locks too complex (BBC) {digital media copy protection}

[eppur_se_muova]

Microsoft boss Bill Gates has told a group of influential bloggers that copy protection for digital music and video is too complex for consumers.

Mr Gates was speaking to an invited party of bloggers and web developers at Microsoft's Seattle headquarters.

Digital Rights Management (DRM), which is used to stop copying, is a big issue for some people who feel it limits what they can do with legally bought files.

"DRM is not where it should be," said Mr Gates, reported blogger Steve Rubel.

"In the end of the day incentive systems (for artists) make a difference," said Mr Gates.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6182657.stm



Bill Gates On The Future Of DRM (TechCrunch)

Microsoft convened a small group of bloggers today at their Redmond headquarters to discuss the upcoming Mix Conference in Las Vegas. Highlights of the day included:

* The receipt of a Zune as a gift (the third I’ve received from Microsoft - I now have all three colors)
* Seeing the look on Gates’ face when he walked into the room and every single one of us had a Mac open on the desk in front of us - Niall Kennedy had also set up a makeshift wifi network using an Airport
* An hour-long anything goes Q&A session with Gates

One of the questions that I asked was his opinion on the long term viability of DRM. I don’t hide the fact that I think DRM isn’t workable, and actively support DRM-free music alternatives such as eMusic and Amie Street. The rise of illegal or quasi-legal options like AllofMP3 and BitTorrent ensure that users have plenty of options when it comes to DRM-free digital music.

Gates didn’t get into what could replace DRM, but he did give some reasonably candid insights suggesting that he thinks DRM is as lame as the rest of us.
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more: http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/14/bill-gates-on-the-future-of-drm/

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. I wonder if Mr. Gates, a non-believer in competition in the

marketplace, can with the wave of his hand, stop people from recording FM broadcasts, thereby bypassing just about anything Mr. Gates and co can conjur up.