If they don't have heated arguments, they are not doing their jobs. Companies that have not been involved in SDMI may produce alternative security solutions. Silver said it's unlikely, but if a complete system for securing music came out before SDMI has finished its work, EMI would have to consider using it. Silver said while the digital music market is being winnowed to a handful of technologies, music publishers and consumers should plan on authoring and using content in multiple formats. And I would be a very wary of someone who chose only one.
Nobody has all the answers.
Silver said EMI has no plans to directly capitalize on the e-commerce boom. The company will not sell to consumers themselves but instead will let the existing retail channel and emerging online channel interact with consumers. EMI also has no interest in developing its own security technology and will continue to focus on partnerships. Consumers who think that moving to Net-based distribution might lower the price of music may be sadly disappointed, he said. At least in the short run, it will cost EMI more money to distribute music digitally than through its regular retail channels.