Copy Rights

Universal Music Group announced it will test DRM-free music sold through Real's Rhapsody, Wal-Mart, Amazon, and Google, but will leave Apple's iTunes Plus DRM-free music store out of the loop.

Universal aims to release the tracks through music distributors next January. Needless to say Universal will keep close eye on sales and piracy, which will ultimately determine if Universal offers its entire catalog in a DRM free format.

AT&T Inc. has become the first major carrier of Internet traffic to try and prevent pirated content within its networks. AT&T Inc. has started work on technology that would help target what it considers the most frequent violator of anti-piracy laws. The new active role in the anti-piracy battle goes hand-in-hand with AT&T's new venture in pay-television services, and future IPTV possibilities. "We do recognize that a lot of our future business depends on exciting and interesting content," said James W. Cicconi, an AT&T senior vice president.

Users maybe be able to copy their HD DVD and Blu-Ray movies! But there is a catch. Negotiations are coming to a close between the AACS Licensing Administrator and film makers. The AACS will provide a new form of rights management that allows would users to make legal copies. This idea of "managed copy" has been around, but studios have hesitated to adopt the technology. However, repeated breaks in both HD DVD and Blu Ray's DRM have pushed the industry to look at alternatives.