Interviews with Digital Media Thought Leaders

Two Years Ahead of the Record Labels

Podcast Video | Posted by Phil Leigh on January 4, 2008

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About two years ago we published a research report entitled Digital Music Goes Mainstream concluding that it was in the best interests of the record label industry to abandon digital rights management (DRMs). You can get a copy of the February 15, 2006 report by clicking on the preceding link. 

Over a year later EMI decided to sell DRM-free tracks, followed by Universal in the autumn, and Warner Music just last month. Finally Business Week reports that Sony-BMG will be the last of the four major labels to throw in the towel sometime during the first quarter of this year.

In our analysis DRM abandonment will benefit the industry for two reasons. Read more…