In a frank and open article presenting Steve Jobs' "Thoughts on Music", Apple has made a surprisingly forthright argument for why they sell DRM'ed music, and why they can't stop without the music companies' say-so.

Though Jobs didn't say it explicitly, this seems to be targeted at European countries gathering momentum to sanction the iTunes Music Store on the basis that it excludes the possibility of buying music from other stores for use with the iPod. Apple makes the points that (a) they use DRM not because they like it, but because it was the only way to satisfy the big four music companies to license their music, and (b) Microsoft and Sony have done exactly the same thing with their music stores and players.

Apple's bottom line: "Convincing [the big four music companies] to license their music to Apple and others DRM-free will create a truly interoperable music marketplace. Apple will embrace this wholeheartedly."