We're Not Confused -- or Convinced

It's not at all surprising that music executives are skeptical of following EMI's lead in offering DRM-free music online. In their view, if consumers are capable of copying and distributing content, then it stands to reason that they will, without exception -- despite many years of evidence to the contrary.

A bit galling, but not surprising. But in a recent Forbes article, music executives offer up another rationale for not dropping restrictions: doing so might confuse us. Apparently, we have this little problem where there are too many different ways to get music online. Some files are AAC, some are Windows Media, some are MP3. Some are download-to-own, some so long as the subscription money keeps coming in. Some can be transferred to portable players, others can't.

So let me get this straight. The music and computer industries encourage this smorgasbord of digital delivery, but when someone comes along and offers to sell music in such a way that we can just listen anywhere, anytime, the music industry wants to protect us from possibly becoming confused? Hey, we're smart enough not to be confused. We're also smart enough not to be convinced by this insulting rationalization.

[Thanks, Mobile Media News.]