Platform Control vs Content Control
It is my belief - after the SONY DRM disaster - that the long term business plan of "BigMedia" companies is not just an attempt at "content lockdown" - the prevention of unauthorised copying of copyrighted media.
It is also my belief, in disagreement with other pundits, that this is not an attempt at "platform lockdown" - where you have to buy multiple copies of your media to play on alternative devices.
I now believe that the long term aim of the BigMedia companies is nothing more than "Content Lock-In".
For many years now BigMedia have dictated what we watch, listen to, and read.
After all - they control all the channels of production and distribution - printing presses, television, movies and radio.
The web has changed all of that - it means the end of the "middleman" - and the end of the BigMedia giants who have made huge profits off the "surplus labour" of a handful of creative people for so many years.
If I am a writer with something to say I can say it - on the web - without a BigMedia publisher as a middleman.
If I am a musician with music to play - I can distribute it on the web - without a BigMedia company as a middleman.
If I am a photographer - I can distribute my pictures on the web - without a BigMedia company as a middleman.
If I am a movie-maker - I can distribute my movies on the web - without a BigMedia company as a middleman.
So what are the "BigMedia" companies to do? Their revenue streams are threatened in a way that they would never have considered 10 years ago.
They no longer "own" the means of production (recording studios, printing presses, cameras and cinemas) because cheap technologies for music making, film making, self-publishing and distribution now exist.
They no longer "own" the means of distribution - anyone can make media and distribute it on the web so that anyone can see it - at what is approaching near zero cost.
BigMedia is scared - they know their monopoly status is threatened - it's not just about revenue and how many $$$ they say they have lost through "piracy" - this is about creative control.
The exploitation of creative artists through the domination of the means of production and distribution is no longer possible for BigMedia - if you are an artist sometimes letting other people share what you have created is enough.
Right now nobody can control what you make and share.
BigMedia want to change all that.
Look at the threat to BigMedia - look at their business models and ask yourself.
Which is more damaging to BigMedia? - a few copied CD's? or the loss of control over the entire means of production and distribution?
Which long term threat threatens their business model most?
The answer is simple: If creative artists of any type can reach audiences by bypassing the hassles of signing on with a BigMedia company - they WILL do it.
Not every artist who creates something wants to own a BMW or a theme park because they created something new and wonderful.
Many creative artists just want to be heard, to share, and to explain their particular worldview.
But if every creative artist bypasses the BigMedia owned means of production and distribution - what next?
It only means the "content control wars" will get worse - with "unlicensed music" being equated to "copyright piracy".
Branding all P2P users as “thieves” and “pirates” is just one strategy currently being used by BigMedia.
Yet people like free music - and some musicians want to give it to them – I’ve watched many a Jazz quartet play for free just for the fun of playing.
In the Age of the Web it is much easier to make and distribute music for free – if a musician wants to make music and distribute it for free – as in “free beer” or “free speech” - then they can.
There are now enough musicians in the world making and distributing music for free that I can spend days without listening to the radio, and weeks without buying a CD.
The problem for BigMedia is that if enough people want to give away "free music" - they cannot make a profit - their business model collapses.
If everyone listens to Creative Copyright music - where's the margin for the BigMedia companies?
How will they make a profit when the means of production and distribution are removed from their hands?
They can’t – and they know it.
That’s why I believe that the long term goal of the BigMedia DRM strategy is “Content Lock-In” and not “Platform Lockdown”.
With Microsoft announcing that “only signed device drivers” will be allowed in their new operating system, how long before it’s announced that the ONLY music that can be played on DRM enabled systems must be DRM compatible?
How long before I become an outlaw for making and distributing MP3s (or OGGs, WAVs, CDs) of my own music because I can’t afford the digital watermark that enables it to be played on a DRM enabled system?
At this rate - it won’t be very long.
“When making music is illegal only outlaws will listen to real music”
Tags: piracy pirates dmca drm big media copyright violation riaa free speech