If Digital Rights Management hasn’t penetrated your consciousness, it’s time to start letting it seep in, at least peripherally.
I’m not going to upgrade my copy of iTunes (currently 4.9) until JHymn is upgraded to match the version Apple is pushing. Because when I pay for something, then I, and not Apple, should control how I use that something.
iTunes tries to control how you use your music by limiting you to using it on pre-approved devices, which are all, shockingly, made by Apple. JHymn conveniently removes this control mechansim and lets you use the music you paid for the way you want too. What a great program.
This issue is much larger than Apple because ideas are like viruses, and they spread. If consumers yawningly allow Apple to control how and when they listen to music they have purchased through Apple, then every other music seller will be jumping on the bandwagon. Sony is a great example of another megacorp that would love to own everything in your living room. Sony loves creating proprietary technology so that devices made by Sony won’t work with devices made by anyone else. They are robbing themselves of market share and losing clients with this shortsighted and somewhat idiotic approach. I won’t buy Sony anymore. I used to be a loyal customer.
I am not willing to have to beg to be able to listen to music I purchased, when and where I wish. Nor are most of my friends. Megacorporations should stop trying to control us and start listening to what we have to say.