Good point, and I agree with you. I think most DRM is stupid. I happen to be of the school that believes that when I "purchase" something, whether it is music or a book, it should be mine to (legally) use as I wish.
I personally believe that any other view is contrary to the expectations of consumers and to the health of the digital marketplace.
I also think that most digital content sellers are missing the boat when they work too hard to tie things up with DRM. Amazon is missing out on a HUGE market when they don't allow someone like me to purchase digital content for someone else. That's just plain stupid. Makes me much more likely to hunt around for something from PG that I can edit up and put on CD for them. And, I'd much rather pay a few bucks on a gift than spend hours trying to make the same thing. Of course, that's probably clear from prior posts.
No .... you'll not find me defending the current state of DRM. It is one of the most ridiculous systems I have ever seen. I understand the need to defend and protect copyright ... but what most sellers of digital content goes waaaay beyond that. And, I'll make the comparison again ... when most of us begin to feel that the seller is being "unfair" ... then that little bit of Robin Hood or Zorro sneaks out of all of us.
In effect, it becomes "us" against "them." Now, a smart retailer will enter into a stated or unstated agreement with the consumer that makes them a part of "us" and "us" a part of them. They do it when they "go green" ... they do it when they really make you (the consumer) like the seller. I buy Amy's Ice Cream because I really like Amy's attitude. I try my best to keep my money out of Bill Gates' pocket because I'm not as keen on his (although his charitable bent of late may be changing my mind a little .... maybe).
The smart retailer makes being a consumer at their store a really enjoyable experience. It's win-win all the way. I will actually spend more money to shop at a store I like rather than save at a store I hate. I vote with my wallet .... I support those retailers that give me a really good shopping experience, and that I don't feel are ripping me off.
The way most DRM is approached, it starts to appear as a plain ol' fashioned rip off of the first order. That's what pisses most people off. It's not the holder of the copyright that is raking in big bucks off of DRM and draconian DRM just makes many people want to (1) barf up lunch, and (2) avoid the DRM, not necessarily in that order.
Eh .... I'm babbling now.
