OK, so iTunes has made DRM music popular. 500 bajillion downloads.

But what happens when iPod loses its allure and people start buying 'alternatives'?

Say they've spent $100 on DRMd iTunes music. And then they buy a Creative Zen. Oh dear. They cant 'legitimately' use that Music anymore. The Music companies and Apple want you to buy it all again!

OK you can circumvent it, but then you break the DRMCA.

Or if you've bought all your music on Sony's service -all in Artrac, and then decide to buy an iPod?

The complicated and incompatible world that is DRM is going go become VERY unpolular all at once, mark my words.

Why would I spend $10 on an album online when for a dollar or two more I can OWN the CD and rip it in my choice of format, in my choice of quality setting?

But then I lose the benefits of downloads.

So what do I do?

P2P or Usenet.

Then we have the Music Industry pushing for MORE money to be earned from Downloads.

When will they learn that carrots sell better than sticks?