Executive summary

We strongly encourage the Commission to take regulatory steps to foster interoperability and prevent access barriers, vendor capture and discrimination of hardware platforms. DRM might lead to a balkanization of the single market and foster undue control over supply channels and discrimination.

Thus DRM solutions may eventually exclude SMEs. Strong consumer rights and standard license models will set the ground for technology providers and rights-holders to provide adequate solutions for an emerging pan-European single market of content.

1) Do you agree that fostering the adoption of interoperable DRM systems should support the development of online creative content services in the Internal Market?What are the main obstacles to fully interoperable DRM systems? Which commendable practices do you identify as regards DRM interoperability?

In many fields DRM seems to be not mature enough for mass deployment. Market acceptance of DRM is currently low. Even Steve Jobs of Apple voiced strong DRM skepticism: