EU consumer chief sounds a softer iTunes note

Meglena Kuneva, whose critical remarks of Apple's music DRM were quoted in a German magazine, says she'd merely like to "start this debate."

The story "EU consumer chief sounds a softer iTunes note" published March 14, 2007 at 2:08 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[rleon]

Perhaps she tried...

Perhaps Meglena Kuneva got an iPod and fell in love with it.

[rleon]

Perhaps she tried...

Perhaps Meglena Kuneva got an iPod and fell in love with it.

[freemarket--2008]

This is Bogus

I can't stand DRM and other than DVDs I don't buy anything using it. It's just another example of companies and governments screwing over those who do nothing wrong in a vain attempt to stop those who are misbehaving.

That being said, there are many ways to acquire music other than from Apple. Apple earned their market share by making a decent player and download site. If you don't like it then don't use it. Plain and simple.

This is just about bureaucrats and politicians trying to jump on the anti-DRM bandwagon and maybe create more jobs for their fellow bureaucrats. There are no so-called consumer 'rights' at stake here.

[Philips]

Promotion v. Prohibition

Agreed. It is easier for politicians to regulate or ban something altogether. Rather than promote something or create opportunities for new markets.

Especially in EU, most parties ride on conservatism and promise to change less than their competitors. Same goes to high-tech: politicos are always late to see what's going on and generally punish those who are leading the market.

To me, M$' DRM license restrictions are more sever than those of Apple. I mean Apple makes no secret that it wants all of the market - M$ masquerades it as "free DRM for everybody". M$ influence on hardware producers is enormous and as things stand now one way or another we all pay M$ tax: with every computer & with every gadget.

[freemarket--2008]

This is Bogus

I can't stand DRM and other than DVDs I don't buy anything using it. It's just another example of companies and governments screwing over those who do nothing wrong in a vain attempt to stop those who are misbehaving.

That being said, there are many ways to acquire music other than from Apple. Apple earned their market share by making a decent player and download site. If you don't like it then don't use it. Plain and simple.

This is just about bureaucrats and politicians trying to jump on the anti-DRM bandwagon and maybe create more jobs for their fellow bureaucrats. There are no so-called consumer 'rights' at stake here.

[Philips]

Promotion v. Prohibition

Agreed. It is easier for politicians to regulate or ban something altogether. Rather than promote something or create opportunities for new markets.

Especially in EU, most parties ride on conservatism and promise to change less than their competitors. Same goes to high-tech: politicos are always late to see what's going on and generally punish those who are leading the market.

To me, M$' DRM license restrictions are more sever than those of Apple. I mean Apple makes no secret that it wants all of the market - M$ masquerades it as "free DRM for everybody". M$ influence on hardware producers is enormous and as things stand now one way or another we all pay M$ tax: with every computer & with every gadget.