Normally I don’t write about anything unless it affects me personally or sparks my interest. This is something different, however.

Now I am a traditionalist. I go out and by actual CDs from the store. I have never bought any music from on the internet for myself (I have bought some for others). I just like the feel of actually having a CD so that if all else fails, I will still have the hard copy. Despite this, my friends buy music over the internet all of the time.

Now on to the issue: Recently, someone broke the DRM on Windows Media DRM. They conveniently packaged it into a program called FairUse4WM that will allow someone to remove the DRM on their music as long as they have a current license on the file. Although this could be used for illegal and unethical purposes, it allows honest consumers to have more flexibility in using their music that they rightfully own such as burning it to a CD or converting it to be used on a Mac or a DRM-incompatible player.

Obviously, Microsoft and the music industries would not stand for anything like this. They are far too concerned with profits than with their customers. The good folks over at Engadget have written an open-letter to Microsoft asking them not to patch WM DRM to prevent the use of FairUse4WM. They make some very good points on why it should not be patched and I completely agree with their standpoint.

Go on over there and take a look!