Bruce at Hypebot has been an an anti-DRM rampage in the new year. He's started contacting industry figures and asking them a few questions each about how they view the Mp3, and on the flipside of the coin, DRM.

His most recent victim target is Director of New Media for Beggar's/Matador Adam Farrell. Wanna know what Beggar's position is on Mp3 downloads? "At the end of the day, we support any steps that a DMS or device company or label might take to reduce friction in the market and improve the customer experience."

It's an avalanche waiting to happen. If nothing else, the labels are all exceptionally competitive. Once a few start mp3 distribution, opening themselves up to new possibilities online and (in my estimation) increasing their digital sales by sharp margins, the rest will be forced to follow. Frankly, I believe that for the most part, the labels know full well that DRM isn't working, only they've painted themselves into a rhetorical corner over the last few years and, no one ever wants to be the first one to eat crow.