Off the record

IDG's Agenda 2003 conference is off the record. The general ideas is that speakers have the opportunity to discuss issues of the day freely and frankly. But there is a big loophole at Agenda - the conversations in the hallway are on the record. It is typical of the digital rights management (DRM) conundrum that the panel's copy protection could be so easily circumvented. Apple is not emulating Microsoft on its DRM strategy. Apple Computer's senior vice president of product marketing, Phil Schiller said that Apple's attitude has always been that you have got to protect the content owner's right and the consumer's rights. Apple is Phillippe Petit performing a high wire act to preserve fair use and a fair price.