Comments on: Walmart discontinues DRM servers proving you should only buy DRM from large established retailers

By: n0doz

n0doz — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:13:20 +0000

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!

By: doogald

doogald — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:34:20 +0000

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.

By: n0doz

n0doz — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 05:04:21 +0000

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.

By: Wayne Schulz

Wayne Schulz — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:56:52 +0000

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.

By: Wayne Schulz

Wayne Schulz — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:55:56 +0000

By: n0doz

n0doz — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:54:26 +0000

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.