New Media Consultancy :

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION

SECURE DIGITAL MUSIC INITIATIVE (SDMI)

SDMI: Boom or Bust For The Music Industry Introduction

This Special Edition includes analysis of the SDMI initiative in general as well as the more specific Portable Devices Specification. The analysis will provide a background to the debate by examining the impetus for the creation of SDMI, the different players stake in the process and marketplace while providing a non-technical overview of the actual Specification, its impact on different segments of the industry and potential for widespread industry adoption.

Executive Summary of the Musicdish SDMI Survey (July/August 1999)
| MusicDish SDMI Survey

According to the survey of music industry professionals, 52% believed that the Portable Devices Specification's proposed default Usage Rule would have a negative impact on consumer demand for SDMI-compliant devices and applications. Sensing the opportunity for a vibrant market for non SDMI-compliant devices, nearly half found that vendors, not members of the SDMI Forum, lacked the incentives to market SDMI-compliant players.

MusicDish / Indie Music Forum SDMI Survey (October 1999)

"The lack of concrete technical guidelines is likely to result in the majority of players released for the Holiday Season not incorporating SDMI-compliant technology. Several manufacturers we have spoken to since the Specification's release have expressed everything from uncertainty to confusion regarding their plans for SDMI. This was vividly illustrated, to the major labels disapproval, by a letter sent to SDMI members by Sony vice president Geoffrey Anderson: "Despite the months of hard work by the SDMI participants, SDMI portable device manufacturers and SDMI service providers are still unable to prepare for this holiday season.""