Axehole

Monster Cable, a leading provider of cables for audio and video and a company known for its aggressively litigious approach to its own trademark, says it wants the music industry to dump DRM.

“Monster Cable shares Mr. Jobs’ vision of breaking constraints for legal music downloads,” explained Noel Lee, the company’s Head Monster. “We’ve always believed in the power of music. So much so, we launched Monster Music to introduce high definition surround to the world without restrictions.”

Ironically, Monster is known for its aggressively litigious approach to protecting its name and trademark. The company has filed numerous lawsuits and trademark infringement claims against dozens of companies for using the word “monster”, including Monster Garage, Monster House, Monster Energy Drink, MonsterHTPC, Snow Monsters (a kid’s skiing group), MonsterVintage (small used clothing store), Monsters Inc. and the Monster.com job site.
“They strong-arm anybody who uses the word ‘monster,’ ‘’ said Victor Petrucci, founder of a small, family-owned online clothing store called MonsterVintage.com in Camas, Wash. Petrucci is fighting a lawsuit that Monster Cable filed against his firm in August. “I sell used clothing. How can I damage them at all?'’

The entertainment arm of Monster Cable, Monster Music offers a format known as the SuperDisc, which not only contains high definition surround tracks but DRM-free files. Monster Music negotiated DRM Free files with Universal and rock band 3 Doors Down to ensure the consumer could enjoy the music on any player, including the Apple iPod. 3 Doors Down and Universal agreed to allow DRM free digital music files on the SuperDisc release entitled, Away from the Sun, Live from Houston, Texas. Other Monster Music SuperDiscs include Ray Charles’ Genius Loves Company.

“DRM is a complex and political issue, but digital music compatibility is even more complicated to consumers and limiting to the industry,” said Kevin Lee, the company’s Little Monster, who runs Monster Music says. “We are proud to support an open format and leaders like Steve Jobs who are making the efforts to get us there.”