Has Apple Switched Sides?
From Scott Kirsner at SFGate, courtesy New Media Musings:
Some of Apple Computer's most memorable advertising campaigns have celebrated the power of the individual....[But] As the company starts selling its latest iPod device, which is capable of playing video, and begins adding short films, television shows and music videos to its online iTunes Music Store, Apple is aligning itself with Big Media, rather than the ingenious individual. ...
The way the company treats independently produced audio and video in its iTunes Music Store has been surprising. Apple has decided, essentially, that major media companies should be allowed to charge for what they produce, but individuals ought to give their work away for free. That's a big deal for solo creative types who want to make a buck...