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Bob Russell · 02-03-2006, 08:06 PM

Libraries may become an unexpected ally in the fight against oppressive DRM. The same problems faced by consumers that have DRM schemes imposed on them are also problems for libraries, but on a bigger scale. A BBC news article says "Libraries fear digital lockdown."

Here are some of their concerns:
* When technology changes, the material may become unavailable to people in the future
* Restrictions from DRM may last much longer than the period of time that the material is protected by copyright law, effectively extending copyright terms in a de facto manner. There is no automatic expiration of DRM to match copyright periods.
* Even when copyrights expire, there would probably be no key for libraries to use to unlock the DRM

The British Library writes that "excessive control on access to information [using DRM technologies]"... "will fundamentally threaten the longstanding and accepted concepts of fair dealing and library privilege and undermine, or even prevent, legitimate public good access."

(via Slashdot )

02-03-2006, 08:06 PM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Libraries express DRM concerns Libraries may become an unexpected ally in the fight against oppressive DRM. The same problems faced by consumers that have DRM schemes imposed on them are also problems for libraries, but on a bigger scale. A BBC news article says "Libraries fear digital lockdown." Here are some of their concerns: * When technology changes, the material may become unavailable to people in the future * Restrictions from DRM may last much longer than the period of time that the material is protected by copyright law, effectively extending copyright terms in a de facto manner. There is no automatic expiration of DRM to match copyright periods. * Even when copyrights expire, there would probably be no key for libraries to use to unlock the DRM The British Library writes that "excessive control on access to information [using DRM technologies]"... "will fundamentally threaten the longstanding and accepted concepts of fair dealing and library privilege and undermine, or even prevent, legitimate public good access." (via Slashdot )