Quote:
Originally Posted by Fake51
In other words, your analogy fails because you're talking about deterring people that steal physical things while DRM is about deterring copy-making.
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In fact, DRM does not have to be about copy-making at all (which, as we all know, it fails miserably at anyway). But DRM can be used effectively to make sure that in most cases someone pays for a document they obtain, then leave them alone.
As far as your original question:
Of course I'd rather see a company spend its money on better quality content. On the other hand, you have to realize that such quality content is a popular target for thieves, no one wants to pay for content they can get for free, and companies want to make a profit... so we're back to companies trying to protect their premium content with DRM, a vicious circle. In other words, you either improve content AND create acceptable DRM to go with it... or you do neither, and easily-obtained basic content is often the result.
DRM, like salt, is best when used sparingly. Using it to guarantee a sale is fine. After that, let the user do what they will. If the companies did this, and then pressed governments and ISPs to do their jobs to bolster the security of online documents, their time would be better served.
Of course, improving online security is a wholly different can of worms, with the label "Big Brother" in bold, red letters emblazoned on it. But despite the fervent desire of many online users for 100% web anonymity, I've always felt that such a desire is unrealistic because it neuters online security. I expect (
not "desire,"
not "hope for," but simply "expect") that, at some point, the web will be a lot less anonymous than it is now, and strictly for the benefit of businesses trying to protect their money, and governments trying to protect their secrets (ironic as that sounds).
But until that happens, you can't just expect companies to go 180 against every business rule they've ever known. Companies, by nature, do what works... and most of them let a very few pioneers try out new things, then jump on it after it becomes an unqualified success. DRM may not be perfect, but I don't see DRM going away until the companies find an alternative that they can believe in, however good or bad that alternative may be.