Comments on: iTunes customers angry over copy protection moves at Apple

Apple forum heats up with Mac users upset that they are having problems watching iTunes content on their external displays.

[ausernamenoonehaschosen]

It is the fault of the MPAA, Apple has no choice. Furthrmore, on even a 30" display you can't tell the difference between HD and SD; try it before you say this isn't true. Most of the population that will watch HD from iTunes will be hooking their computer or AppleTV up to an HD TV, and almost all of those in recent years have protection, and so will work fine. You only heard of this now because of the very few people who want to watch HD on their older larger apple displays. It won't cause the end of apple or even hurt them in any way, except with the geeks who read forums like this who don't understand it is the fault of the MPAA.

[ausernamenoonehaschosen]

So the moral is, get SD unless you have protection on your display. This is the way it will be with any computer now on, unless you pirate, which I highly recommend.

[3rdalbum]

I remember telling people that Leopard would implement HDCP. Apple fanbois were telling me that Apple was anti-DRM and would never implement HDCP. Now that they are, the fanbois are all "The studios make them do it!".

This isn't the first time iTunes customers have been angry over copy prevention. I downloaded a video from the iTMS thinking I could burn it to DVD, just like you can with the music onto CD. It turns out, the video was stuck on my computer. Apple told me to buy an AppleTV or an iPod Video and a dock in order to watch the video I paid for on something other than my computer. I demanded they cancel my account then. I don't recall seeing anything in the terms of service regarding being treated like a criminal.

I ended off downloading the video in reasonable quality off the studio's website. For free. No DRM. "The studios make Apple use DRM!". I call BS on this one.

[FellowConspirator]

The answer is to get your content from a pirate. Yes, the content creator deserves his share of coin for the act of creation, but if you can't access the work, you're not going to pay for it and the creator won't get any money at all.

The responsible thing is to determine the market price of the work, obtain a pirate copy at a discount, and forward the difference to the creator's agent with a note of explanation (that the commercially produced product is not accessible to consumers, though you both wanted to purchase it and see that they are duly compensated).

I say pay the difference because the pirate is also providing you with a service and should be compensated too. The pirate is really performing a service for the studio, raising the value of the product to some value greater than the default value of zero (for inaccessible content), and you're essentially paying the pirate that fee on behalf of the publisher. So, you might want to point that out. Something like:

Publisher's Suggested Value (MSRP, 1 license for playback): $30
Content Conversion for Access (cost of non-DRM edition): $5
Consumer's Realized Cost to Enable License: $5
Publisher's Actual Value: $25
PAV+CRCEL=MSRP

[ferretboy88]

Apple is lame.

[Jon Eiche]

On February 6, 2007, Steve Jobs published his now-famous open letter "Thoughts on Music" (http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic/). In it, he said, "Imagine a world where every online store sells DRM-free music encoded in open licensable formats. In such a world, any player can play music purchased from any store, and any store can sell music which is playable on all players. This is clearly the best alternative for consumers, and Apple would embrace it in a heartbeat."

Substitute "movies" for "music" and you'd think you know where Apple stands with regard to DRM. Is it possible that the only deals Apple could negotiate with the studios had to include DRM?

[ducttape36]

ouch, sucks for mac users. why didnt macs build hdcp into their monitors from one year ago? didnt they see this coming? its called a cinema monitor for gods sake, it should be able to work with standards put forth by the cinema industry dont you think? stupid, just stupid.

[BtmnHatesRbn]

Okay, so if this true, how come I've never had any problems playing my HD iTunes stuff on an old Apple Studio Display from 1998?

[wmhatting]

I would hate to think a movie I purchased from Itunes store, which are very few, will not replay on my one year old Apple 22 inch Cinema display. I generally buy DVD's and play them on my computer; but on occasion I have purchased movies from ITunes. Copy protection is fine; but at least Apple could make certain their version will work with their hardware. Luster of Itunes is fading very fast for a infrequent user of Itunes such as myself. I still buy CD's for music, make back up copies and stow originals in a safe place. Plus I add them to my Itunes library. But for movies, on sale DVD's for as low as $4.99 to $9.99 for recent hits, is still cheaper than ITunes library in most cases. Yeah I've read their EULA and it stinks so I seldom spend $$ at itunes anymore. Their new policy (lack of hardware compatibility w/Apple Hdwe) isn't their best move. I'll stick to DVD's and CD's from now on. Soooo looong Itunes!

[techpack]

If Apple had made their hardware compatible with legally purchased ITunes movies; and these movies could be played on older equipment (in my case a 22in Apple Cinema display), I doubt there would be rancor at this level. But Apple locking out their own hardware is sufficient enough for an age old statement, "Ay maties, abandon ship.." Or in Trekkie language, "I con't hold her captn; I'm given'er all I got". Well time for alternative methods of digital movies.

[RodsterinFL]

"Exactly! The content owners are forcing Apple to do this crap, get a clue people"

The above is most certainly correct. Some time ago I read a lengthy article about when Apple just began to add more movies to the iTunes store there was, at the same time, some concerns voiced from the record label companies about protection, etc.
basically the article sounded like they threatened to shut down iTunes without delineated measures being taken and the MPAA joined in.

By the way, sharmajunior , you claim not to favor either Win or Mac yet you would love them to go away?? Macs are a great product,

[Canok]

As usual all of us are barking up the wrong tree, bark at the media owners they are screwing us with the DMCA. Bark at them, they are the ones demanding all the makers to comply with their demands. Let put the fanboyism aside and confront the real enemy.
Maybe we should go back to downloading illegal stuffs because they just work.

[John Howell]

All this copy protection seems to be doing nothing to slow the availability of bootleg copies that can be downloaded.
I will never buy a product with DRM and copy protection. If I pay for it, I want to use the content how I want.

[thelemurking]

DRM only hurts legit consumers. Anyone who is going to pirate will always have a way around the DRM and copy protection. The funny thing is, a lot of times, the pirates will have it before it's even released. I saw a DVD copy of Wall-E nearly 2 months before it came out. 4.7gb ISO ready to burn and watch... so DRM does not work. It's only a speed bump that annoys the paying class.

[aonceloyalapplecustomer]

I have spent countless thousands on Apple's hardware over the years. "Think Different" was real. They are now a bunch of sellout AHOLES. They INTENTIONALLY CRIPPLE THE IPHONE and are making MORE STUPID DECISIONS than I can keep count of. Screw you Apple and Steve Jobs. You have lost a customer. I NOW HATE YOU. Welcome to the darkside.
Adios, I don't like ROTTEN APPLES.

[OldeSkool1]

I think it's pathetic how a simple article about Apple's copy protection can turn into yet another boring MS vs. Apple vs. Linux debate. I hope all 3 camps choke on their precious machines and shut the hell up. Get an effin' life for Christ sakes.