This is ridiculous. How can a cell-co or a record company have such an audacity and treat their customers in such a way ? At then end of day I suppose it is not just about the ringtones but to inhibit sideloading of content onto the handset. Content that I have already paid for….
I have a budget of about 1000 Euro that I spend each year on legal digital downloads, and now i get told what i can not do with this content ? And as usual these measures are so shortsighted. Nothing but nothing at all will stop anyone of downloading a DRM encapsulator from the manufacturers different websites. Which turn the MP3 into an OMA 1 compliant DRM file (which still plays in both Quicktime and Windows Media Player). Would I then be allowed to upload it legally to my cell phone ?

Vodafone Group also did this for about a year until they received so many customer complains and bad press that this outweighted whatever the revenue loss could be from ringtones. Today no operator in Europe prevents people from downloading and assigning MP3s as ringtones.

This is the same for all Canadian carriers.  It’s mostly to do with the labels and how they are still sore from the file sharing that has cut their revenues.  the labels will not sign contracts for mastertones unless the file/phone are drm protected.  well that’s except EMI, thank goodness for them!

No worries, soon the labels will be bending over for the carriers :)

Consumer resistance against DRM is massive but the labels are clueless. Overheard recently at SXSW in Austin last March from an unnamed record company executive, “The solutions to the problems of today can be found in the past.”
The wave of the future is gonna look like a tsunami to these guys. That’s why I was happy to hear the FCC position on future wireless spectrum. It’s a real wake up call for for way carriers treat their subscribers. Time to put an end to the Soviet Ministry!

Verizon wireless did this back in 2005 with a few phones like the LG VX8100 but they quickly realized the blunder and stopped doing that.

Um yaaa…. I just left Telus and came to Rogers and purchased the Sony Ericcson W580i…. Dont get me wrong , I love it but I wouldnt have even bought it if it meant that ONTOP of my bill, I now have to pay to download ringtones !!  As if they dont make enough darn money…...Is there ANY way u can make mp3s to ringtunes??? ANY WAY?? If not , just give it time , someone will eventually figure it out. until then we can all be pissed at Rogers for being so Greedy!!

For the Sony w580i you can download the DRM Packager right off of Sony’s website.  BUT you need to install Sony PC Suite in order to drag the files to the phone.  It’s really f’n stupid.  I can’t even get PC Suite to recognize my phone’s connected unless I select “file transfer mode” on the phone which is NOT the way to do this.  It’s a HUGE headache and it makes me want to return the phone but it’ll be the same bullsh*t on any other phone on any Canadian client.  What a stupid stupid stupid system.

I have a Sony Ericsson W580I and i’m also with Rogers. I think it sucks that we cant make our mp3 song files into ringtones!!!! Rogers even removed the Track Id feature!!!!!!!! What the hell is the matter with them, not making enough money or something?!!!

Damn thats annoying.
Does anyone know if this is this just Rogers or all Canadian carriers?

yeah Im with fido and the nokia 3500 doesnt allow files to become ringtons unless they have an activation key. Im not purchasing ringtones as a matter of priciple. This is bull cant wait until someone cracks it.

Re-Um yaaa…. I just left Telus and came to Rogers and purchased the Sony Ericcson W580i…. Dont get me wrong , I love it but I wouldnt have even bought it if it meant that ONTOP of my bill, I now have to pay to download ringtones !!  As if they dont make enough darn money…...Is there ANY way u can make mp3s to ringtunes??? ANY WAY?? If not , just give it time , someone will eventually figure it out. until then we can all be pissed at Rogers for being so Greedy!!

I just purchased the same phone with Rogers and was I surprised when I downloaded this software it works just fine and I have made all the ringtones I want for this particular phone go to http://www.mobiledit.com/
GL

You can use the DRM packager (not from Rogers anymore, but if you look around a bit, it’s out there) to modify your mp3’s as ringtones, and download MyPhoneExplorer to transfer the files to your phone. It’s much easier to use than Sony’s PC Suite, and you can use it in phone mode.

I have an LG Neon from Rogers.  I’ve read on forums that the reason for only allowing DRM files is due to ringtones being a public performance.. but why does it not allow you to set voice recordings? That’s what I don’t get….