From Free trade Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_trade

Original Def:

Free trade is a market model in which the trade of goods and services between or within countries flows unhindered by government-imposed restrictions. These restrictions may increase costs to goods and services, producers, businesses, and customers, and may include taxes and tariffs, as well as other non-tariff barriers, such as regulatory legislation and quotas.

New Def (Altered by me):

Free trade is a market model in which the trade of goods and services between or within countries consumers and producers* flows unhindered by governmentcompany*-imposed restrictions. These restrictions may increase costs to goods and services, producers, businesses, and customers, and may include taxes and tariffs, and digital rights management* as well as other non-tariff barriers, such as regulatory legislation and quotas.

Coldplay singer Chris Martin and guitarist Jonny Buckland called for fairer trade during a visit to the World Trade Organisation summit in Mexico. The WTO meeting in Cancun will discuss how to break down global trade barriers. "Free trade is a great idea. It's just that we in the West do anything but stick to it," said Martin.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3095854.stm

I caught part of American Idol last night from the kitchen making a bottle for my daughter and I heard a new Coldplay song from Viva La Vida (Title Track?). I watched the commercial (available on Apple - lower right ) which is a very cool commercial graphically to what sounds like a great song, but then I saw the end "Exclusively on Itunes" and my heart sank. I don't want to hate on Coldplay, I honestly believe they are one of the best bands of our times (yeah its my opinion), but I couldn't help but think about how they preach Free Trade values and yet decide to go with one single DRM-laden delivery pipe for their new album.  Bummer.

(and yes I know free trade on a global scale is MUCH different than this album release, but the general idea holds in my head)

UPDATE: It seems that it is JUST this single, I think the whole album is going to be available my other NON-DRM sellers.  I think?

UPDATE II:  I do think the commercial is a bit confusing (deceptive/brilliant marketing?), I can't tell if the single "Viva La Vida" is what is exclusive, or the entire album.  I guess time will tell.  I am hoping it is just the former.

music, coldplay, drm, itunes