The copyright fight around music has been going on now for sometime. I think it has been made very clear that consumers do not want DRM, consumers want to be able to post music mashups, consumers want fair access.

I personally adopted a new set of rules for myself 6 months ago when it comes to DRM music and videos. I refuse to purchase any music or media that has DRM on it. I have no problem paying, but I will pay once like I always have and then I will use it as I wish, period. If want to play it in my car I will. If want to play it on my Mac I will. If want to play it on my iPod I will. If I want to play it on the newly invented gadget that my colleage made I will. I will not ‘ask’ anyone for permission to do this. I will not buy it more than once. The industry needs to get their ‘thick heads’ around this. I think they may finally be starting grasp to it.

In my opinion the next step is up to the artists and they need to develop a similar hard stance attitude. The artists need to start standing up to these record companies as a group globally and explain to them how they are going to service the artists and their customers, not the other way around. There has been a coalition of music artists in Canada that has been formed in Canada. I really hope this expands globally. As a consumer of music, I for one find this very frustrating and just want it to end.

Lately, I just listen to last.fm. It’s easy, it’s free and when I find something I like I’ll purchase it (assuming that there is no DRM on the purchased item).

-mike.