The AP has a well-written story that gives the current state of the music copy protection debacle.

Since there are all these incompatible DRM protection systems in place - ones used by Apple, Microsoft, and more, all at the insistence of the record labels - it makes it difficult for the average person to buy music online.

Take one of the new Sony Ericsson Walkman phones as an example. The W810i is a really nice-sounding model with a 2-megapixel camera built in. If you bought one, however, you can't buy any music online -- from anywhere, Apple iTunes Store, Napster, Rhapsody, or otherwise -- and then listen to it on the phone. You can only listen to unprotected songs, such as those from imported CDs.

Consequently, "many music fans who don't want to deal with the hassle simply turn to online file-sharing networks to download no-strings tracks for free," the article said.

Apple seeking end to music copy restrictions [AP via CNN]