Jobs Letter Sparks Protectionist RIAA Response

The RIAA quickly issued a response, though its statement seemed both protectionist and out-of-step with the Jobs argument. "Apple's offer to license Fairplay to other technology companies is a welcome breakthrough and would be a real victory for fans, artists and labels," the group said. "There have been many services seeking a license to the Apple DRM. This would enable the interoperability that we have been urging for a very long time." That clearly misses the thrust of the Jobs opinion, though it may represent an intentional misunderstanding designed to cloud the larger point. Regardless of the thinking behind the response, the counterpoint indicates that the trade group remains protectionist, despite the broader call by Jobs to ditch DRM. The RIAA statement also mirrors recent comments from various major label executives, most of whom appear cool to the concept of MP3-based download sales, at least publicly.