• Business Week, Wednesday, February 7, 2007 11:15 AM

Apple chief Steve Jobs issued a statement yesterday that could represent a dramatic about-face in the company's controversial stance on digital rights management, the software that keeps the company's music files from being played on media devices other than a personal computer or an Apple iPod. In an 1,800-word statement, Jobs placed the onus of lifting DRM restrictions on the shoulders of the music industry, pointing out that Apple's FairPlay software (its DRM) came at the behest of Big Music.

The statement, "Thoughts on Music" (www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic) posted on Apple's Web site, claims that by backing off their DRM stance, music companies would enable "a truly interoperable music marketplace"--one that Apple would embrace "wholeheartedly."

Industry analysts say the request couldn't have come at a better time. Apple is facing mounting pressure in Europe over its DRM, which officials say turns the iPod and iTunes into a monopoly. The company is being sued by consumers in the U.S. for the same reason. The Recording Industry Association of America, which represents the big four, also said it wants to see changes allowing users to play downloaded music across a variety of devices.

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