Walmart discontinues DRM servers proving you should only buy DRM from large established retailers
Posted on 27 September 2008, at 12:04 pm, by Wayne Schulz
Retailer Walmart who switched from DRM to Non-DRM music back in February has just sent out notice that as of October 9, 2008 any DRM (Digital Rights Management) music purchased from their site must be copied to a CD or you will no longer be able to transfer music to another computer or access songs after changing or re-installing operating systems.
Beginning October 9, we will no longer be able to assist with digital rights management issues for protected WMA files purchased from Walmart.com. If you do not back up your files before this date, you will no longer be able to transfer your songs to other computers or access your songs after changing or reinstalling your operating system or in the event of a system crash. Your music and video collections will still play on the originally authorized computer.Thank you for using Walmart.com for music downloads. We are working hard to make our store better than ever and easier to use.
Walmart Music Team
If this doesn’t drive the stake through the heart of companies who want to sell DRM protected music, nothing will.
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September 27th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Wayne, I don’t understand your title. WalMart’s about as big a retailer as there is. Did you mean “large established retailers” like iTunes?
As far as WalMart is concerned, I’m certain it’s a cost issue. I’m a WalMart fan, but I will admit the bottom line is everything to them.
September 27th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
September 27th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I was being sarcastic about Walmart - and the issue is that if one of the world’s largest retailers shuts down DRM — what could or probably will happen to others.
September 28th, 2008 at 12:04 am
I’m naive about sarcasm sometimes.
I would suspect that, given the intensely strict attention paid to costs and profit at the big W, they’re dropping it because it doesn’t perform as expected. If you were to follow WalMart closely, you’d see that dropping non-performing or below-expected performance merch lines happens all the time.
I think the online music business in general is still in its formative stage… the music industry still doesn’t really trust it, and it’s not yet the primary means for obtaining music for most people. It’s still an up-and-comer, not yet ready for a WalMart-style of retail. As such, I don’t see this as a harbinger of things to come.
September 28th, 2008 at 10:34 am
As Borat might say, “PlaysForSure (NOT!)”
I would have a lot more respect for companies like this if they provided a downloadable utility that would strip the DRM from the music file on behalf of their customers.
September 28th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
AMEN! If only they could..
Lot of greed in the music industry. Anyone providing a utility like that is guaranteed to get a visit from the RIAA Gestapo!