They’re aware of the issues that you raise. A lot of the work on DRM technology is going into providing solutions that actually add some kind of value by incorporating value adds for the consumer as part of the buying process.

So what’t the problem? Why aren’t these kinds of conferences addressing the issue?

Truth is that there’s a kind of fundamental disconnect between players in the value chain who need to act together to make anything out of it. Technology companies want someone to accept DRM because with electronic download services will come this nice new wave of technology spend on back end. CE companies want to have these kind of services offered so that they can flog new devices. The companies who are likely to actually offer electronic download services (retailers and carriers) don’t really care about DRM as long as it’s reasonably secure and consumer friendly. Content providers don’t care if it’s consumer friendly so long as it leaves all their other business models intact (ha!).

And the consumer? By all accounts, from electronic content delivery services what the consumer wants are roughly analogous rights and additional convenience and selection. All the rest is confusing gravy to them.

So. What do you end up with? CE companies and tech vendors developing solutions that try to meet everyone’s requirements and in doing so they meet nobody’s. Carriers who try to start content services but who are only allowed to have content in a narrow window of opportunity (generally the same one as is offered to airlines and hotels). Content providers aren’t giving an inch until someone makes sure all their ridiculous requirements are met (or until someone makes money with the services– witness iTunes).

Result: Microsoft moves in the middle of the confusion and rules the world. Watch this space.