Friday, February 16, 2007

Bassmint Music’s CEO comments on “The DRM Epiphany”

(Columbus Ohio)- Bassmint Music Inc. (BmMI), President and CEO Jerry Calliste Jr., a long time recorded music industry and recent digital music download company executive had quite a lot to say in response to a recent BBC News article (2007) regarding the possible abolition of copy protection software known as digital rights management (DRM) titled “Apple Seeks Online Music Shake-up."

When asked his general opinion on the article Calliste Jr. said, “I think it’s about time companies like Apple Inc. and the major recording companies realized what the consumers have been saying and requesting for many years. Looking as far back to Napster , consumers have always wanted ‘no restrictions’ on their music. Between DRM on a lot of the major recording companies MP3s and Apple’s restrictions on its music files, consumers have their options limited to how and when they can enjoy their music. Once consumers spend their money they want the freedom to do with the product whatever they like”.

Calliste Jr. also stated, “Besides making the online digital music market a little more competitive this new “call to action” and realization by Steve Jobs or as Calliste Jr. says “The DRM Epiphany”, will not really affect BmMI. Bassmint Music Inc. does not currently use DRM and is not considering using it in the future.” Although he did say that as technology improves the company might consider using some form of identification or authentication for their digital products.

Calliste Jr. said he supports making (unrestricted) music (files) accessible to all consumers and feels the consumer’s opinion is a valuable asset to how BmMI implements their business model.
“As long as consumers responsibly and legally purchase digital music downloads (MP3s) they (consumers) should be able to play it on whatever player they choose.”

Calliste Jr. said, “I am also a songwriter member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) for 23 plus years and music publisher member of the same organization through Hashim Music and Caldella Music 22 years and 1 year respectively. I am a huge advocate of educating the consumer to why it’s illegal to file swap digital music downloads. In addition to enforcement there should be a worldwide effort to educate consumers about illegal file swapping”.

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Email: info@bmmi.biz
Bassmint Music Inc.

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