It seems that Apple has decided to embed identifying information into the DRM-free tunes that they are now selling through iTunes. This is in addition to the information that is added to the ID3 tags. I think this is a great idea. In fact, I have been a proponent of using steganography in media files for a long time.
My problem with DRM is not that it prevents me from sharing or stealing music. Honestly, DRM doesn’t stop me from sharing or stealing music anyway. My problem with DRM is that it cripples my media files. I can’t copy songs I bought on iTunes to my iPod; I can’t copy them to my wife’s computer, etc. Of course, I CAN do these things, but I have to take additional steps to get around the DRM.
DRM does not provide ant real protection to copyright holders. DRM just makes it difficult for consumers to get the most use out of the music they buy. I can get more use out of my music if I steal it via bittorrent or buy it from a pseudo-legal site like allofmp3.com.
Adding steganography to my music does not make it any more difficult to use. It does provide a limited amount of recourse to copyright holders. Seems like a win-win to me. I hope other labels follow suit.
