I wouldn’t read too much into Gates reputed remarks. The Zune, after all, marks Microsoft’s second, separate attempt to crack the DRM nut. I would not interpret his recommendation to buy and rip CDs as an endorsement of eschewing DRM altogether, as much as a lot of us would like that. Rather, I would expect yet another convolution of Microsoft’s DRM technologies in the coming years, possibly also lacking compatibility with previously released schemes.
For a device maker that also has a captive commerce channel, there just is too much incentive to keep using DRM, in my opinion, no matter how bland. I definitely think this is true of Apple, as well. For these guys, as opposed to the artists and labels, the DRM is about lock-in, not piracy. They can simply play it to their mutual advantage as far as these separate goals align in the form of technological protection measures.
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