Record Companies Are Wary of New Microsoft Technology nytimes.com
On the new monopoly frontier, we have this nice story from today's NYT.
Large record companies have been loath to make music available as MP3 files because they fear unrestricted bootlegging on the Internet. But, much to Microsoft's surprise, they seem no more likely to comply with the software giant's alternative. There are several reasons, according to record executives: They do not like the way Microsoft has tried to deal with them on MS Audio 4.0. They are worried that the security system will not meet their needs. They do not like the fact that the Windows Media Player can play MP3 files, and, more to the point, they just do not want Microsoft in their business.
The Microsoft announcement comes as major labels are four months into their own response to MP3, the Secure Digital Music Initiative, which intends to create a set of standards for delivering copyright-protected music over the Internet and put them into effect by the holiday season. One factor upsetting record companies, according to executives, is that Microsoft has not said that it will comply with the initiative's standards once they are announced.
"The record companies are shutting it down completely," said a representative for one major-label act who was contacted by Microsoft and spoke on the condition of anonymity. "And the reason they aren't cooperating makes sense: Microsoft is saying SDMI won't work. Talk about cynicism and arrogance."
How Microsoft could be perceived as cynical and arrogant is beyond me, of course. Perhaps like the subtleties of browser-OS integration, it's beyond the comprehension of mere mortals. I don't know if you were around here at the time, Thure, but this bit brings to mind an old line from Scott McNeally when Bill was trying to strongarm the cable guys to go with his plan for settop boxes. McNeally claimed John Mallone called him on the golf course, saying he didn't want Bill to take control of his industry. I noted dryly at the time that you shouldn't try to snow a monopolist about the benefits of your personal monopoly.
Cheers, Dan. |
