SigEx Telecom : To download or not to download?That is the questionby Ana Maria Ciobanu

According to Wikipedia, DRM is an umbrella term that refers to access control technologies used by publishers and other copyright holders to limit usage of digital media or devices. Apple and Amazon.com recently announced some 'DRM-free' music initiatives. This won't mean the end of Digital Rights Management. The amount of digital content flowing over telecommunications networks is huge and will continue to grow so we most certainly need DRM regulations. Many online music stores use DRM to restrict usage of music purchased and downloaded online. Some Online music stores like eMusic, Audio Lunchbox, and Anthology recordings do not use DRM. Steve Jobs has made a call on the music industry to eliminate DRM in an open letter titled Thoughts on Music. This letter was published on February 6, 2007 and it talks about the history and the future of DRM software. Steve Jobs' letter got responses from Jon Lech Johansen, MP3.com founder Michael Robertson, Warner Music boss Edgar Bronfman and others. Sometimes I find these initiatives very funny. People are worrying about copyright laws and DRM in America and in Europe people are downloading music, movies and so on absolutely free.They're even downloading Microsoft software for zero cents. I know it's easier to download music, especially when it's free but I don't like the quality of it. I like to buy the albums of the artists I like, I like to pay a movie ticket to see an actor or a director I like...and the quality is superior to my PC at home.

by Ana Maria Ciobanu for SigEx Telecom (http://sigex.com)

SigEx Telecom is quickly becoming the leading telebroadcasting communications provider allowing people to easily talk, view, upload and share video clips through free online TV broadcasting, free unlimited global calls, websites, blogs, video-mails and SMS. SigEx Telecom captures many add-on services for its clients generating royalties and fees in a broad spectrum of marketing services including public relations and promotions.

SigEx Ventures : Do we need IPTV?by Ana Maria Ciobanu

UTStarcom Inc. is a global leader in IP-based networking solutions and services. The company was found in 1991 and has its headquarter in Alameda, California. It researches and designs operations in the United States, Canada, China, Korea and India. UTStarcom is a Fortune 1000 company. You can find out more at www.utstar.com.- the company's official site. UTStarcom Inc announced yesterday that they've completed a rigorous security audit of its IPTV DRM System. The security audit was commissioned by UTStarcom in June 2006 and completed in April 2007 by Merdan Group Inc. Merdan Group Inc. has been engaged by UTStarcom to perform a security audit of their new and advanced DRM system. DRM is a component of all IPTV systems, including UTStarcom. "The proven and consistent, high dependency levels of UTStarcom's DRM system reinforces our commitment to ensuring content security in our delivery of IPTV to our customers and partners." said Dr. Qiang Li, chief scientist of UTStarcom, Inc. and chief architect of UTStarcom's IPTV RollingStream product line. Why exactly do we need IP TV? Let's say I understood Apple TV, it looks nice, its Apple...But how many more technologies are we going to develop just for watching some TV?! Couldn't we develop something else? We've been watching TV since 1936 when BBC started broadcasting, aren't we bored? I don't really understand this idea of multiple broadband internet connections being used at the same time. I know we're evolving and technology is evolving but is this IP TV really necessary?Shouldn't technology evolve by developing things we don't have and need or improving things we have but aren't working right?

by Ana Maria Ciobanu for SigEx Ventures (http://sigexventures.com)

SigEx Ventures's matrix of properties are quickly becoming leaders in digital telebroadcasting, free content delivery allowing people to easily talk, view, upload and share through free online TV broadcasting, free unlimited global calls, video blogs and SMS. SigEx Ventures invests in projects deploying "free" to add-on royalty revenue models

Something new on horizonby Claudia Sonea

There has been so mush fuss over the latest Apple product, the iPhone that it comes as a surprise the fact that the newest AT&T and eMusic release has no compatibility with it. For those that like having two in one product, you will enjoy the over-the-air music store that will combine your cellular phone with the functions oh an iPod. The eMusic store will be packed with 2.7 million songs in DRM-free MP3 format. Not only that you will download the desired song on your mobile, but a copy will be sent instantly to your computer. Don't cheer yet, there is the negative side to come. It is very expensive to purchase the data charges, the price will be $7.49 per five-pack plus data charges. Also it is quite disappointing that it is available only for Samsung's a717, a727, SYNC and the Nokia N75, but not for the iPhone. It does amaze me that the mobile phone created to be just like an iPod and have functions of a computer is not included in the range. However, it might be introduced in the range that is supposed to come. If it wasn't for the high price and the fact that works only for those type of mobile phones mentioned above, I would definitely acquire it. It is a step in the good direction and why shouldn't we purchase music from the mobile phone. There are situations when you have to do it. Of course I like and consider much easier to shop music from the computer, I would still try the mobile, perhaps because I like to be in trends. Surf on and shop till you drop or don't have any money.

related story: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/emusic/att--emusic-open-over the air-music-store-no-drm-no-iphone-support-284290.php

by Claudia Sonea for SigEx Telecom (http://sigex.com)

SigEx Telecom is quickly becoming the leading telebroadcasting communications provider allowing people to easily talk, view, upload and share video clips through free online TV broadcasting, free unlimited global calls, websites, blogs, video-mails and SMS. SigEx Telecom captures many add-on services for its clients generating royalties and fees in a broad spectrum of marketing services including public relations and promotions.

Pirate at the keyboardby Claudia Sonea

Nowadays people see laws like a challenge and like all the forbidden fruits we are after all eager to try it. However the truth is that sometimes you are constrained to do it. For instance there is the concerning issue of the music piracy that takes place online. There are laws against it and until recently people obeyed them. Why they have turned against them it is not that strange if you ask me. With the price that you have to pay for online download and the difficulties caused by the technology designed to prevent digital bootlegging, no one should be surprised. Despite the fact that the CDs prices have fallen, the online prices still hold the high prices, although initially the purpose of online purchase was to offer customers a cheaper way in acquiring the latest songs of their favorite artists. Furthermore customers don't agree the policy of keeping old tracks at the same price with the new ones, nor the DRM (digital rights management) because it is limited to only some devices, while people that posses other sort of devices are left outside. The survey that revealed all this issues that online music shoppers raised is carried out by Entertainment Media Research and points out the tremendous problem of piracy. At one year distance, the survey shows that from 2006 until 2007 the number of interviewers that would turn to piracy has increased dramatically. It is no joke, people aren't afraid of prosecution anymore and if nothing changes in the music sites politic, next year the number will be even bigger. Let's not forget that the survey was made on a limited number but the problem is widely spread and will not be solved soon. Stay out of trouble and let us keep hope for the best.

related story: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22164719-7582,00.html

by Claudia Sonea for SigEx Ventures (http://sigexventures.com)

SigEx Ventures's matrix of properties are quickly becoming leaders in digital telebroadcasting, free content delivery allowing people to easily talk, view, upload and share through free online TV broadcasting, free unlimited global calls, video blogs and SMS. SigEx Ventures invests in projects deploying "free" to add-on royalty revenue models