Comments on: Blackstone Audio phases out audiobook DRM

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I’m skeptical that this will work to stop pirates, since all imperceptible watermarks can be trivially removed through simple means like diffing two files

No, they can’t, if you have a halfway decent watermarking scheme. Look up ‘spread spectrum watermarking’. Those remain embedded and readable as long as the data is readable, since the watermark is embedded in the most significant parts of the data.

Still, you reach a correct conclusion: watermarks in open formats like MP3s cannot be used to stop pirating. Since you can copy an mp3 regardless of its content, and play it any of thousands of players out there, watermark in the content is irrelevant in that regard. Watermark can only be used to establish the ownership and, for example, to ease tracking of pirated material online.

By: Townes

Townes — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

From the previous story…

(http://www.boingboing.net/2008/06/19/canadian-industry-mi-2.html)

“All the ‘freedoms’ your law guarantees us can be overriden by DRM, right?” (Prentice’s answer to this last one, “The market will take care of it,” is absolutely priceless.)

So I guess Prentice was right?

By: mblitch

mblitch — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks for actually saying “raises the question” instead of the often improperly used “begs the question”. The later term does not equate to the former as it is a logical argument.

By: fxb

fxb — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Great news about Blackstone. They’ve got some fantastic titles, but I’ve never been able to stomach buying audiobooks through Audible.

Naxos began selling their audiobooks as DRM-free mp3 downloads a while back. Like Blackstone, they’ve got an impressive selection of classical and contemporary literature.

http://www.naxosaudiobooks.com/

By: Doc Tourneau

Doc Tourneau — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

If Audible and Amazon stupidly continue to stick to their guns, they’re not going to have a lot of new content to offer in the near future.

Time to revise your business models, folks, lest a new competitor shows up and eats your lunch.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

BTW, this is the response I got from Amazon about Audible DRM:

“Audible is DRM agnostic — our primary goal is to offer a great
customer experience. Audiobooks purchased on Audible.com can be played
on over 600 AudibleReady devices, including Kindles, iPods and most
other MP3 players, Tom Toms and other GPS devices, Sonos and other
in-home systems, and all PCs and Macs. Unlike DRM-free MP3 music files
designed for songs, audiobook files must deliver a unique multi-hour
listening experience. Customers have recognized and appreciated
Audible’s unique listening experience since the company’s inception in
1997. Audible is committed to maintaining and improving the features
that drive this experience.

Audible recently announced that it is working to provide the option of
DRM-free spoken word audio titles on Audible.com for content owners
who prefer this method and are committed to working with Audible to
maintain a great customer experience.

Thanks for your interest in Amazon.com and Audible.”

By: Agent 86

Agent 86 — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Wow, the only positive grammar-nazi I’ve seen on the net!

By: Takuan

Takuan — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

what about “frenching the question”?

By: Agent 86

Agent 86 — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Only after a complete 7 course meal, with 5 different cheeses and 3 wines.

By: Will Shetterly

Will Shetterly — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

You could bypass Amazon by loading audiofiles to Amazon through CreateSpace. It might encourage them to speed up their commitment to DRM-free files.