Microsoft is Totally Hip

But not really. Soon after Apple announced they'd be teaming up with EMI to offer DRM-free digital music downloads, Microsoft said they'd be doing the same. In about two months the mammoth corporation went from passionate supporters of anti-piracy technology to being so concerned about their consumers. Yeah, okay.

In February Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division told Forbes:

"We've been very focused on producing a DRM system. We're willing to license it across the board...We think DRM is important."

A couple of months later, Microsoft Zune spokeswoman Katy Asher said:

"Consumers have made it clear that unprotected music is something they want. We plan on offering it to them as soon as our label partners are comfortable with it."

Is it me or does it seem as if Microsoft is encircled by an air of laziness. 'Eh, everyone's a Microsoft user anyway. Let's just release glitchy, backwards-thinking versions of Windows. Let's just bow down to powers that be.' Did they ever consider that they have the power? Without these music vendors, the music industry would be in a deeper pit than it already is. Instead, they maintain this system that exploits their consumers' blind eye to their disinterest in their customers and their primary concern for the dollar. Now, of course the dollar does always come first in a corporate setting, but maybe this consideration of the consumer is why Apple sales have been creeping up at the expense of Microsoft's. It was until it was thrown in their faces that Microsoft was like, "well, okay. Fine." You're as transparent as a window. Or something.

Whatever, though. I'm not complaining. The less DRM in this world, the better. Thanks be ta God!