Sony BMG used open source code to plug Apple DRM into its disastrous rootkit spyware, wrote Alex Halderman last August.

That's one DRM open source connection. Then there's yer actual open source DRM. And No, it's not a spoof.

"Sun Microsystems has set up an 'initiative' to stymie attempts by Microsoft, principally, in its efforts to dominate the copyright protection arena, such as it is," p2pnet posted in August, 2005.

It's called the DReaM initiative. Nightmare might be more appropriate. But the initials DRM don't fit nicely into that ; )

So anyway, "Assuming it catches on, this would create a bizarro world version of the copy-protection landscape," says Eliot Van Buskirk in Wired News.

"Today, consumers largely scorn DRM schemes in favor of unprotected MP3s ripped from CDs or downloaded off P2P networks. One reason for this is because iTunes-purchased music only plays on iPods, and subscription files from services such as Rhapsody only play on Microsoft Janus-compatible MP3 players.

"If DReaM works, consumers will be able to access their purchased songs through a number of providers, and using a wide variety of devices."

Wouldn't a whole slurry of DRMs take much of the bite out of DRM, even if there was the remotest possibility that it could work?

Apparently not.

"In a world where DRM has become ubiquitous, we need to ensure that the ecology for creativity is bolstered, not stifled, by technology," says Creative Commons founder professor Lawrence Lessig.

"We applaud Sun's efforts to rally the community around the development of open-source, royalty-free DRM standards that support "fair use" and that don't block the development of Creative Commons ideals."

It's called 'compromise' and it, not money, makes the world go around. And if open source DRM will make the entertainment and software cartels happy, why not? It won't make any difference to anyone else.

Also See:
disastrous - Sun touts open Source DRM, August 22, 2006
stymie attempts - Sun touts open Source DRM, August 22, 2005
Wired News - Reasons to Love Open-Source DRM, April 3, 2006
bolstered, not stifled - Open Media Commons Releases Specifications and Source Code for DRM, March 22, 2006