MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Defective by Design is targeting the Kindle

JohnClif · 01-11-2008, 02:37 PM

I don't believe DRM increases or encourages piracy (unauthorized distribution of copyrighted content to non-purchasers).

I believe the problem with DRM is that it breaks the conventional model of buying books and music that consumers have built up over time. If a DRM scheme existed that had no drawbacks for consumers, they wouldn't care.

So, the onus is on the seller to come up with a DRM scheme that has no drawbacks for consumers, yet protects the rights of the seller.

I think Amazon has it figured out when it comes to the Kindle. Amazon obviously maintains a list of what you've bought, so even if Kindle v2 is totally incompatible, from a file format point of view, with the existing Kindle, they can easily authorize you to download to your new device.

Amazon's technical model also supports working with other ereader manufacturers to register ereader devices for users, so as to allow for other formats, e.g., DRM MOBI, and even DRM music devices (although the DRM scheme would have to change slightly, as DRM MOBI is slightly morphed to become AZW). Question is, does their business model? (It should.)

Maybe what the industry needs is a 'DRM clearing house' that can help to associate purchasers with their purchases, so rights can be transferred and so that consumers aren't at the mercy of any one seller in terms of losing access if that seller goes out of business.

01-11-2008, 02:37 PM	#79
JohnClif Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 484 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Amazon Kindle, PC/Mobipocket Reader, Palm T3	I don't believe DRM increases or encourages piracy (unauthorized distribution of copyrighted content to non-purchasers). I believe the problem with DRM is that it breaks the conventional model of buying books and music that consumers have built up over time. If a DRM scheme existed that had no drawbacks for consumers, they wouldn't care. So, the onus is on the seller to come up with a DRM scheme that has no drawbacks for consumers, yet protects the rights of the seller. I think Amazon has it figured out when it comes to the Kindle. Amazon obviously maintains a list of what you've bought, so even if Kindle v2 is totally incompatible, from a file format point of view, with the existing Kindle, they can easily authorize you to download to your new device. Amazon's technical model also supports working with other ereader manufacturers to register ereader devices for users, so as to allow for other formats, e.g., DRM MOBI, and even DRM music devices (although the DRM scheme would have to change slightly, as DRM MOBI is slightly morphed to become AZW). Question is, does their business model? (It should.) Maybe what the industry needs is a 'DRM clearing house' that can help to associate purchasers with their purchases, so rights can be transferred and so that consumers aren't at the mercy of any one seller in terms of losing access if that seller goes out of business.