Clear majority wants Apple to open iTunes

Stan Beer
Monday, 14 August 2006 20:15

IT Industry - Strategy

It seems the French and Scandinavians have grass roots support among the computer user community with regard to forcing Apple to open its DRM system to the wider hardware market if a new poll is to be believed.

A recent iTWire poll asked the question: Should Apple open iTunes up to all portable music players? Of the 503 respondents, 312 (62%) answered yes while 191 (38%) answered no.

While there is a strong movement in Europe especially to force Apple to enable music downloaded on iTunes to be played on all MP3 players, Apple has resisted the pressure because it is diametrically opposed to the company's business model.

Apple, which created the iTunes market uses its phenomenally successful download site to generate iPod sales, which make the company most of its money. The company has very real fears that if it licenses its DRM to allcomers, iPod sales will decline dramatically taking Apple revenues and profits down with them.

Despite user sentiment, as displayed in the poll, iPod continues to be phenomenally popular and it is doubtful whether Apple will alow itself to be bullied by its Euro detractorsl.