Tightly-reasoned argument regarding the benefits to Apple resulting from "Compatible with iTunes" media player sales. One logical gap is that unprotected tracks cost more keeping yet another advantage for FairPlay-capable iPods, but it can be argued that since most customers don't buy many iTunes tracks (if any), this will be a very small factor.

Quoted: Apple's recent deal with EMI to sell DRM-free songs from the publisher's catalog on iTunes may clinch the iPod's AAC format as the industry standard.