Cynicism, Jobs, iTunes, and DRM

Ya’lls are some cynical motherfuckers.

“He’s just doing it because he’s in trouble in Norway”. “He had no problem selling iTunes DRM 2 billlion times, and NOW he’s suddenly against it?”. “He’s just doing it because iTunes Store unit sales are dropping”.

Look, do you want DRM, or not? Why must every last one of you look a gift horse in the mouth?

He could be bluffing. (He probably is) He could just be doing this knowing that the labels would die before giving away the keys (he probably is). He might even know he can’t do it without all of them on board (he probably does).

But the fact is, right now it’s in the labels hands. Steve said, “I’ll turn off DRM in a heartbeat”. He ostensibly has legally binding agreements with them to provide DRM unless they say otherwise.

They have 2 choices (again, as near as anyone can tell): 1, allow DRM-free, or 2, require DRM. If they pick #1, it’s back in Steve’s court. If they say #2, it’s all their fault. (Maybe there’s a #3, I dunno)

Did The Steve say what he said knowing they’d take #2? Maybe. I don’t know, and I’m guessing you don’t either. Maybe if you’re not privvy to the details, you should shut the fuck up? (And if you do know, preach it, yo.)

All I know is, The Steve said he’d remove DRM if allowed (you know, the guy everyone says “shakes up industries”). Doctorow’s “end of the DRM wars” could be in sight.

You can remain vigilant and not look a gift horse in the mouth. There’s a difference between “cautious” and “cynical”.