> a few years ago when it started using DRM
Are you referring to the DRM it also dropped at a later stage after they managed to convince the content suppliers ;)
The only dropped DRM on a subset of their digital content. Apple still sells plenty of DRM-encumbered material.
I don't understand why only a megacorp would use DRM. Imagine yourselves in the shoes of a content owner: Congress has decided you have certain rights to control the distribution of your content, using DRM. Some company comes along and decides those rights are invalid and immoral. Would you want to do business with them, or with a competitor who allows you to exercise the full rights given to you by law?
Re:Schneier's response to Eric Schmidt
by benatkin on Wednesday December 09, 2009 @08:50PM
(#987118)
If they're going to any length to get business, even if it pisses off they're staunchest fans, they're acting like a megacorp.
I'm not arguing for them sacrificing their customer base. I'm arguing for us not letting companies like Apple and Google get away with looking like the good guys when they're just the profit-driven guys like everyone else. Google's "Don't Be Evil" motto makes me sick, just like the squeaky-clean reputation Steve Jobs once had.
Also, if it seems it might have been taken out of context, people should rail on what he said anyway, so he has a chance to defend himself. If he doesn't defend himself, there's a pretty good chance he meant it.
It seems like Google might be coming out of the closet as a regular megacorp, just like Apple did a few years ago when it started using DRM, and again a couple of years ago when it made a deal with AT&T, and finally put away any question of them being an exception to the rule when it came out with its app store.