DRM-Free Means Apple-Free?

Technical Writing Geek sends us an opinion piece from Microsoft Watch that contends that the music labels, finally letting go of DRM, have the additional goal of freeing themselves from Apple's choke-hold on the music business. Quoting: "Apple CEO Steve Jobs is getting exactly what he asked for nearly a year ago: Industry movement away from DRM music. But the DRM freedom he wanted is looking more like DRM freedom from Apple. There has been a whole lot of shakin' going on the last two weeks with respect to DRM-free content: Warner made its library available to Amazon, as unprotected MP3s. Sony BMG announced plans to release its catalog DRM free. In the second quarter, Napster will go back to its MP3 roots, with a library available in the unprotected format... While the DRM-free moves may be good for consumers, many labels have another motivation: DRM freedom from Apple."