I'm all for rights management. I'm especially in favor of artists being compensated. However, according to CNN, a number of bands including Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters and Switchfoot are telling fans how to break copy protection. Seems SO unfair that individuals get sued by the RIAA and MPAA for file sharing and the famous apparently flaunt the DMCA without consequence. A cynic might think the time might be right for the RIAA and MPAA to cease and desist.
Snippets:
For now, the copy-protected discs work only with software and devices compatible with Microsoft Windows Media technology. Apple -- the dominant player in digital music -- has resisted appeals from the labels to license its FairPlay DRM for use on the copy-protected discs.
The DRM initiatives are generating complaints from fans, many of whom own iPods. The message boards of artist fan sites and online retailers are filled with complaints from angry consumers who did not realize they were buying a copy-protected title until they tried to create music files on their home computers.
