So, consumers' digital music libraries created before Phase 2, and subsequent music that is meant to be freely available, will still be playable on SDMI-compliant devices. But music files posted to the Internet without authorization will be unplayable on SDMI compliant devices. SDMI-compliant music will carry with it a set of usage rules programmable by the content owner that will allow for a number of business models. If more copies are needed, the original disc can simply be copied again. Since SDMI is creating a framework and not a format, interoperability between music, software, and devices at this point will be determined by the marketplace, as is the case today.
Interoperability remains an important goal for the longer-term SDMI effort.