'DRM-Free' not all it's cracked up to be...

[wgr73]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip22 /img/forum/go_quote.gif if someone steals your car, you report it. if someone steals your laptop, report it. you aren't responsible for the actions of the criminal who stole your car, the RIAA won't have grounds to sue you for your stolen laptop. don't even know your files are tagged? the info shows up if you right click and "get info" (just like it does on the fairplay versions). also, have you read through the EULA? i am willing to bet it is in there.

This is true, but remember that time = money. You get a knock on your door from the RIAA...they want to take you to court for piracy. Now you have to waste time calling a lawyer and proving your innocence...Just make the music tru DRM FREE!!!!! No tracking of the original buyer. I realize that they mean good, but think about the possible jeopardy they put you in.

 

[ILikeMusic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiG™ /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just rip out the info. Could probably create a program to do it in no time, surely it can't be that hard ? it will probably be either hidden in the ID3 tag or at the End of the MP3 file after the closing data.

Which, if so, makes the tactic freaking worthless as a piracy protection effort. Why do it at all?

Quote:

Really, apparently this is in the DRM'd music as well, so who cares.

Not the same thing. Tracks with DRM would not be likely to ever circulate on a peer share system.

 

[zip22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wgr73 /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is true, but remember that time = money. You get a knock on your door from the RIAA...they want to take you to court for piracy. Now you have to waste time calling a lawyer and proving your innocence...Just make the music tru DRM FREE!!!!! No tracking of the original buyer.

as soon as the first case like this pops up, you'll have a case. until then, you're just speculating.

I still haven't seen a good reason why this is such the controversy.

 

[subfocus]

.... even if you agree with the tactic what would be the excuse for not (at the very least) informing the buyer that personal info is being embedded in purchased tracks? It's no wonder that consumers are getting tired of this crap.[/QUOTE] Personally, I also find it incredible that many people find this wholly acceptable corporate behaviour. To not even bother informing people shows nothing but contempt for the average consumer.

 

[zip22]

please explain what has been done that is so despicable.

 

[wgr73]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip22 /img/forum/go_quote.gif please explain what has been done that is so despicable.

The fact that they are tagging the files with your personal info

...and yes, I'm sure it's in the fine print somewhere (that they hold the right to tag your personal information to the file for the sake of piracy

). But to the average joe, they have no clue what this is...therefore compromising their personal information.

 

[[zero]]

I don't know why this is a surprise to anyone, but guess what? Even the Fairplay AAC files had your name and email in it. No one gave a **** then. But now that the files don't have Fairplay on it, all of a sudden it makes a difference? If you're not planning to do anything illegal with your files, why should you care? If your laptop gets stolen or your iPod gets stolen, report it to the police. And when the RIAA comes a-knockin' on your door, you show them the police report and give them a big "screw you!".

 

[ILikeMusic]

Quote:

But now that the files don't have Fairplay on it, all of a sudden it makes a difference? If you're not planning to do anything illegal with your files, why should you care?

The reason for both these concerns have been discussed previously in the thread, just a few posts ago. But... again... files can get away even if you don't intentionally do anything illegal with them. And Fairplay tracks are not likely to be distributed if they get released into the environment but DRM-free tracks may well be.

 

[zip22]

but your concerns don't have much merit.
IF your files are somehow stolen (huge IF)
IF your files are leaked by the person who stole them (another huge IF)
IF the RIAA finds the files
IF the RIAA decides to press charges (another huge IF)

we have already said that if you file a report after the first step, theres really nothing that the RIAA can do. so, what is the concern again?

 

[[zero]]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip22 /img/forum/go_quote.gif but your concerns don't have much merit. IF your files are somehow stolen (huge IF) IF your files are leaked by the person who stole them (another huge IF) IF the RIAA finds the files IF the RIAA decides to press charges (another huge IF) we have already said that if you file a report after the first step, theres really nothing that the RIAA can do. so, what is the concern again?

Look at all those if's. What's the probability of all those happening. Not very high, I suspect. I'm sure a lot of the time, when a person steals an iPod and sells it, the person who ultimately receives it would delete all the music on there anyway. What are the chances that the music you own are appealing to the person who now is in possession of your iPod?

 

[mwallace573]

Stuff like this makes me glad that my music collection is 100% factory pressed CD. Compact Disk, the ultimate DRM free music source.

 

[ILikeMusic]

Quote:

so, what is the concern again?

The 'ifs' you mention aren't necessarily as unlikely as you suggest. And regardless, what is the point in encoding personal information in the tracks in the first place? To tick off (many, if not you) customers and trigger privacy concerns? To provide an utterly useless means of distribution control? Where do these guys come up with this stuff?

 

[gurp13]

Wait, hold on! You mean if someone steals my iPod or my home computer then they'll have my full name and my email address!!!!11!!

You have got to be kidding. You're worried that someone will have your email address?

Dude, the last thing I'm worried about if any of the above happens is that someone gets my email addy.

And, after you file your police report about the stolen materials, I'm sure that will be adequate defense against any dumb lawsuit the RIAA brings, if it does. Please. These suits are getting thrown out of court lately. Do you even read the news?

Fact is, the files sound better and they're unrestricted. This is a molehill, people. Get over it. My info has been in every file I've bought from iTunes. All of them. This is ooooolllddd news.

 

[wgr73]

I totally understand all concerns. Zip, you are correct! The thing is, why put your name on the file in the first place? If anything happens (which is not uncommon) you are at risk, PERIOD. It seems as though some don't care to have personal info out there...

Then again, why am I here talking...I will never use DRM free/or whatever anyways. I'm just looking at it from an innocent persons point of view.

 

[Thelonious Monk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip22 /img/forum/go_quote.gif please explain what has been done that is so despicable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by [zero] /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't know why this is a surprise to anyone, but guess what? Even the Fairplay AAC files had your name and email in it. No one gave a **** then. But now that the files don't have Fairplay on it, all of a sudden it makes a difference? If you're not planning to do anything illegal with your files, why should you care? If your laptop gets stolen or your iPod gets stolen, report it to the police. And when the RIAA comes a-knockin' on your door, you show them the police report and give them a big "screw you!".

Quote:

Originally Posted by zip22 /img/forum/go_quote.gif but your concerns don't have much merit. IF your files are somehow stolen (huge IF) IF your files are leaked by the person who stole them (another huge IF) IF the RIAA finds the files IF the RIAA decides to press charges (another huge IF) we have already said that if you file a report after the first step, theres really nothing that the RIAA can do. so, what is the concern again?

Quote:

Originally Posted by [zero] /img/forum/go_quote.gif Look at all those if's. What's the probability of all those happening. Not very high, I suspect. I'm sure a lot of the time, when a person steals an iPod and sells it, the person who ultimately receives it would delete all the music on there anyway. What are the chances that the music you own are appealing to the person who now is in possession of your iPod?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gurp13 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wait, hold on! You mean if someone steals my iPod or my home computer then they'll have my full name and my email address!!!!11!! You have got to be kidding. You're worried that someone will have your email address? Dude, the last thing I'm worried about if any of the above happens is that someone gets my email addy. And, after you file your police report about the stolen materials, I'm sure that will be adequate defense against any dumb lawsuit the RIAA brings, if it does. Please. These suits are getting thrown out of court lately. Do you even read the news? Fact is, the files sound better and they're unrestricted. This is a molehill, people. Get over it. My info has been in every file I've bought from iTunes. All of them. This is ooooolllddd news.

qft. just because there's no drm doesn't mean apple doesn't want to try and protect their **** in some way.