The only successful DRM comes from hardware makers (read: Apple) who balance the power to govern sales without extortion prices and without runaway piracy, because their interests are aligned with both consumers and intellectual property content producers.

Are you telling me that Apple's prices are reasonable? Their products cost 50% to 200% more than the market competition. They definitely are extorting people with DRM. The majority of people who use apple products don't even know that they are being controlled by DRM (think: iPod). All they know, is that, if they try to use another brand (of hardware), it just won't work.

For those who are not as tech-savvy, not working = broken (and will never use again)

Also, do you think that Apple's DRM has helped cut music piracy? I assume /. readers are smart enough to figure this one out.