Macrovision’s response to the Steve Jobs DRM letter

Fred Amoroso, the CEO of DRM, electronic licensing e-licensing, and software asset managment provider”>Macrovision, the original DRM company, has made a response to Steve Jobs‘ open letter regarding the role of Digital Rights Management (DRM) in the current electronic content marketplace. In his response, Mr. Amoroso highlights four major points.

First, is that DRM is just broader than music, and that DRM has an impact across many forms of content across different media. Therefore, the discussion should not be limited to just music.

Second, Amoroso asserts that DRM increases, rather than decreases consumer value. He says that without reasonable, consistent, and transparent DRM, there will only be a delay in consumers receiving premium, quality content in their homes in the way they want it.

Third, Amoroso believes that DRM will increase electronic distribution. He says that if owners of high-value content are asked to enter or stay in an environment/platform that offers no protection for their content, there will be no reason for them to enter.

And finally, Amoroso notes that what DRM needs is for it to be interoperable and open. He says that true interoperable DRM will speed the shift to the electronic distribution of content and make it easier for consumers to manage and share content in the home. He adds that it will also enable an open environment where content is portable across a number of devices and not held hostage in just one company’s product.

Amoroso expounds:

As an industry, we can overcome the DRM challenges. A commitment to transparent, interoperable and reasonable DRM will effectively bridge the gap between consumers and content owners, eliminate confusion and make it possible for new releases and premium content to enter the digital environment and kick off a new era of entertainment.

We feel that we should have enough self-control to not laugh out loud at the use of words like “enabler” and “not decreases consumer value”, and take those points suggested by Mr. Amoroso with reason. We’re not sure about you folks though. We’ll leave the laughing, nitpicking, and debating for and against DRM to you guys.

Anyway, here’s a pseudo-analytical look at this. Jobs’ letter said something that implies something like this: “The industry wants something impossible, like a unicorn headed for candy mountain.” Macrovision’s response is this: “Yeah! Candy Mountain rocks! Let’s grow pink wings, turn into unicorns and fly to Candy Mountain!“

Double plus ungood. Read the exec’s letter yourselves via our “read” link below.

Fred Amoroso, the CEO of DRM, electronic licensing e-licensing, and software asset managment provider”>Macrovision, the original DRM company, has made a response to Steve Jobs‘ open letter regarding the role of Digital Rights Management (DRM) in the current electronic content marketplace. In his response, Mr. Amoroso highlights four major points.

First, is that DRM is just broader than music, and that DRM has an impact across many forms of content across different media. Therefore, the discussion should not be limited to just music.

Second, Amoroso asserts that DRM increases, rather than decreases consumer value. He says that without reasonable, consistent, and transparent DRM, there will only be a delay in consumers receiving premium, quality content in their homes in the way they want it.

Third, Amoroso believes that DRM will increase electronic distribution. He says that if owners of high-value content are asked to enter or stay in an environment/platform that offers no protection for their content, there will be no reason for them to enter.

And finally, Amoroso notes that what DRM needs is for it to be interoperable and open. He says that true interoperable DRM will speed the shift to the electronic distribution of content and make it easier for consumers to manage and share content in the home. He adds that it will also enable an open environment where content is portable across a number of devices and not held hostage in just one company’s product.

Amoroso expounds:

As an industry, we can overcome the DRM challenges. A commitment to transparent, interoperable and reasonable DRM will effectively bridge the gap between consumers and content owners, eliminate confusion and make it possible for new releases and premium content to enter the digital environment and kick off a new era of entertainment.

We feel that we should have enough self-control to not laugh out loud at the use of words like “enabler” and “not decreases consumer value”, and take those points suggested by Mr. Amoroso with reason. We’re not sure about you folks though. We’ll leave the laughing, nitpicking, and debating for and against DRM to you guys.

Anyway, here’s a pseudo-analytical look at this. Jobs’ letter said something that implies something like this: “The industry wants something impossible, like a unicorn headed for candy mountain.” Macrovision’s response is this: “Yeah! Candy Mountain rocks! Let’s grow pink wings, turn into unicorns and fly to Candy Mountain!“

Double plus ungood. Read the exec’s letter yourselves via our “read” link below.