Quote:
Originally Posted by Rizla
Sure piracy can be prevented. Governments / Corporations are in the process of preventing it right now. No new pirating technology has emerged in response. We are witnessing the end...
|
This is as untrue for books as it is for music. If I can see a book on the monitor of a computer, then I can copy it word for word, picture for picture -- no matter what DRM is used. If I can listen to a song on a computer, then I can copy it...exactly.
There is no such thing as DRM that cannot be circumvented. The only unbreakable DRM would be a system whereby nobody can access the material ever under any circumstances.
That said, I believe that people that break copyright law should be prosecuted, just like any other criminal. I do recognize that the reality of law enforcement is such that "we the people" can only afford to go after the most egregious violations.
I do think the US would be much better off with a simpler, more easily understood copyright system, such as creative commons proposes. As it is, the whole thing is a mess. It really bugs the crap out of me to see publishers take a public domain work, tweak it, adds some meaningless content and slap a brand new copyright on the thing. Over and over this is done, like urban sprawl it continues, until there are 32 editions of a book and you are left wondering which is which, what are the differences (if any) from the original, etc. I think this practice by publishers is just as immoral as people who break copyrights.
I think that the default status for a new piece of work should be "public domain" instead of "copyright". I also think that buying a paper version of a book should entitle you to owning the ebook version of that book. I know that I am technically breaking the law, but I strongly feel it is fair for me to hunt down a DRM free copy of an ebook that I already bought the paper version of. The author/publisher got their value in exchange for me getting my value -- quid pro quo is established.
I feel strongly enough that when a friend lets me borrow their paper version of a book, if I actually read it, I'll buy my own copy later and put it on the shelf because because otherwise quid pro quo is not established.
My favorite quotes on this:
“If a book is worth reading, it is worth buying.”
- John Ruskin
"Only one thing is impossible for God: To find any sense in any copyright law on the planet."
- Mark Twain