The Shifted Librarian: Monday, September 08, 2003- Apple: Libraries Circulating Digital Content Is “Impractical”

In other words, Apple (what appeared to be one of�the most customer-friendly and educational institution-friendly companies) doesn’t think enough of the “First Sale” doctrine to build support for it into its digital music product. To them, it’s “impractical” and you might, sort of, “perhaps” have the right to resell their products that you legally purchase online. Oh, and 99 cents is plenty cheap enough for you to buy all the songs you want, too, so you just quit complaining and give us your credit card number already.

Do you seriously still doubt that publishers will try to lock libraries out of circulating digital files?

Nope. And while I generally like Apple, pretty much anyone looks good compared to Microsoft. Life could be so much better if these guys would just find some imagination.