(Dieser Artikel ist auch in deutscher Sprache verfügbar)
The Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) asks the music industry to get rid of DRM which they consider responsible for the continuously decreasing of online music sales in UK.
The industry music seems to ignore the consumers' preferences who are displeased with the copy protection systems imposing limitations on the content use. Additionally, the occurrence of various incompatible DRM formats has led to confusion and reserve with the consumers who tend to prefer file-sharing, lest they should find themselves in the position of not being able to play the music on their electronic equipment.
According to Kim Bayley, ERA director, the DRM is "working against the consumer interest" and "puts consumers off". In a statement to Financial Times, she has made reference to a survey already discussed in the EDRi-gram, carried out by Entertainment Media Research and media law firm Olswang. The study has revealed the fact that four out of five consumers would rather have copy protection free versions of the music they want to buy. Therefore, many of them go to file-sharing peer-to-peer services.
Some recording companies, like EMI and Universal have already offered DRM free catalogues and have experienced increased sales after that which is an argument in favour of dropping DRM. During the last three years, an average of one song per resident was sold online in UK, a sign that it's time the music industry gave up DRM if they want to see any improvement in the online sales.
UK retailers to record labels: DRM is killing us (21.11.2007)
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071121-uk-retailers-to-record-l...
UK retailers join the anti-DRM crusade (23.11.2007)
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2007/11/23/uk-retailers-join-the-anti-drm...
UK retailers complain DRM is "stifling" music (21.11.2007)
http://www.macnn.com/articles/07/11/21/uk.retailers.against.drm/
EDRI-gram: DRM-free music is supported by consumers (29.08.2007)
http://www.edri.org/edrigram/number5.16/drm-free-music
EDRI-gram: DRM debate continues in Europe (28.02.2007)
http://www.edri.org/edrigram/number5.4/drm-debate