Quote:
Originally Posted by speakingtohe
As I have said before I do not consider stripping DRM on a book you own to be theft in a moral sense. I do consider stripping DRM and distributing copies to be theft, whether intentional or not, but I am losing not any sleep over it and these are strictly my personal opinions.
I also think that publishers, authors, and other venders are within their rights to use DRM if they see fit, and I believe that it has been to their advantage overall, but I do not know that for sure. It is their right and I do not resent it. Like any other product I do not have to buy it, but I do as I like ebooks.
As to the fear of losing content, well with most of us (in this discussion) are able to strip DRM if we wish that is not too likely unless we are careless or victims of a fire etc. In fact if I was a victim of fire that burnt up all the copies of ebooks I have, in many cases I can simply redownload them from the seller. Try doing that with your antique credenza.
I cannot think of one thing I have bought that is not susceptible to loss so why bring out that tired old Amazon chestnut. I believe that the buyers were reimbursed, I also believe that Amazon acted in a stupid and arbitrary manner, but if the loss of one (I believe it was public domain) ebook has struck fear into the hearts of the book buying public, I am amazed that people still buy bread and cheese for fear that it might mold in their fridge 
Most of the people who refer to this incident were not even affected slightly, and why is it any more horrific than someone stealing your car or borrowing a book or any other item and not returning it. Oh yeah, I forgot because it is Amazon.
Amazon is unlikely to do this again because of bad publicity. You seem to imply that it is likely that they or another vender will run amok and remove all of your content. I think it is unlikely, but hardly the end of the world or justification for doing something you believe is wrong. And if you don't believe it is wrong why bother justifying it.
And don't forget Amazon or anyone else can only do this if you are connected to the internet.
And as you said, the whole Amazon debacle was initiated by someone infringing copyright. |
I do agree that nobody was hurt by the Amazon incident (they all received $30.- credit, a lot more than they spent in the first place) and it was handled correctly, if stupidly because they generated so much bad publicity, by Amazon. Yet I am strongly opposed to DRM restrictions. Why should we accept such restrictions and pay the same price while publishers' profits per unit increase? So there definitely is nothing wrong with people speaking up against DRM. I will not buy any book with DRM I can't remove.