Quote:
Originally Posted by astra
Did it?
Then why did they change their business model and started selling DRMless content if DRMed was a success?
|
Why else?
To rope in the people who didn't come to the party in the first place... the "I despise DRM, so I won't play with you!" crowd.
That doesn't actually mean the existing system (with DRM) didn't work... just that they knew they could make even more money by offering content without DRM. And their focus isn't theft... their focus is making more money.
I know, I know, I sound (to everyone, apparently) like all I'm doing is defending DRM. We should be clear that
I am not defending the present state of DRM at any retailer/publisher, etc... I am defending the
potential of DRM to enact some reasonable measure of security, not too much to infuriate and drive away customers, and enough to mitigate loss through theft.
And I am not saying any retailer (even iTunes) has necessarily reached that point with digital content... but that this is still a young market, and these things can be worked out over time.
Maybe it should be noted, for the sake of understanding, that I do
not use DRM on my products specifically because I as a bookseller am not satisfied with the present state of electronic DRM to "secure" content. However, I do actually use a DRM process in the purchase system I use, and have had no complaints (or even comments) about it, from members here or any other purchasers.
So: My site is an example of a DRM system that does its job, mitigates (though clearly does not eliminate) loss through theft, and does not infuriate customers (and, in fact, went almost entirely unnoticed by all). See? It's not impossible.