Apple's Jobs Wants Open Music Market

He noted that the music industry already sells music without DRM on CDs. Fewer than 2 billion DRM-protected songs were sold in 2006 in online shops, while more than 20 billion songs were sold without DRM on CD by the music labels last year.

"If the music companies are selling over 90% of their music DRM-free, what benefits do they get from selling the remaining small percentage of their music encumbered with a DRM system?" Jobs wrote. "There appear to be none."

It's not as if Jobs is concerned that DRM is slowing sales of its ubiquitous iPod music player. iPod sales dwarf the competition at 72% of the market, according to NPD Group, with its nearest competitior, SanDisk (SNDK), at 11% share.

He urged those unhappy with the current system to direct their energies toward the music labels, not Apple.

Apple shares closed up 21 cents Tuesday to to $84.15.

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