Steve Jobs and DRM

Steve Jobs has posted an essay at Apple discussing DRM, iTunes, and the iPod.  He outlines both why Apple encumbers iTMS purchases with DRM and why licensing FairPlay (the DRM system) is not feasible according to the contracts Apple honors with the music industry.

"Perhaps those unhappy with the current situation should redirect their energies towards persuading the music companies to sell their music DRM-free ... Convincing them to license their music to Apple and others DRM-free will create a truly interoperable music marketplace.  Apple will embrace this wholeheartedly."

Mr. Jobs also points out that, on average, only 3% of the music on any given iPod has been purchased through the iTMS.

UPDATE

MSNBC  has coverage, Daring Fireball has commentary, and the Macalope  brings the funny (but, by the way, Jack Valenti is the former president of the MPAA - Mitch Bainwol is the CEO of the RIAA)