Quote:
Originally Posted by gmw
As to the overall effect of DRM on the author in terms of revenue? I am not in a position to say, I'm guessing that the publishers have a better idea than I do (I certainly hope so). The anecdotal evidence of a few people here suggesting that they'll pay for non-DRM books, but they'll only ever obtain pirated versions of DRM books (despite how easily they tell us DRM can be removed) I do not find very convincing, in fact it sounds quite contrary (a self-deception used to justify not paying for a book, what other explanation fits?).
The other discussion is about piracy. This applies as much to DRM protected books as it does to non-DRM protected, the main difference between the two situations was noted above and gives DRM its reason for continued existence. (You could even argue that DRM is there for the readers benefit, protecting them from accidentally becoming pirates... but I don't really expect you to swallow that one.  ) As previously noted the term "piracy" is pretty loose, I prefer to use it only for the illegal distributors, rather than recipients. (Like the difference between thieves and receivers of stolen goods.)
In that light, listening to the various justifications that people offer for piracy reminds me of that Simpsons episode where Fat Tony justifies cigarette smuggling. (Paraphrased: "Is it a crime to steal a loaf of bread to feed your starving family? No sir. Now what if they would prefer something other than bread, say, cigarettes - would that be a crime? No sir. And what if, instead of giving them away, you sell them for a price that's practically giving them away, would that be a crime? Hell no!") |
I don't think that anyone here is trying to justify piracy. They are merely venting their spleens about a system that is inherently unfair to the end user and one that they can do nothing about.
With regard to piracy, whichever way you look at it. Necessity really is the mother of invention. If these blocks weren't in place, people wouldn't have to find ways to get around them.