Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyMartin
OK, so the intention of DRM is not to prevent piracy. By piracy I mean the copying and distributing and use of copyright material outside the given terms of the copyright. What then is DRM for?
Dont tell me how it is not effective, that is beside the point, I am talking intention. A speed limit sign does not prevent people from speeding even though the intention is to limit speed.
It is very likely I am missing something here but what?
I put locks on my doors. The intention is to protect my stuff. It causes me inconvenience and I still run the risk of getting my things stolen. Still my intention was to safeguard my stuff, not to inconvenience myself.
|
Well, there are a couple of problems with your analogies. The speed limit analogy, as I pointed out earlier, does not actually consist on placing a limit on your rights since you have no legal right to drive; it is a priviledge granted by the state. The state therefore reserves the right to regulate it any way it sees fit.
When you put locks on your door, you are inconveniencing yourself, but are not in fact restricting the rights of anyone but yourself and your family.
As for what the purpose of DRM; its simple, there are two possible solutions. The first solution is that it provides a false sense of security to the distributors of digital media. The second possible solution is that it is a way for the Media industry in question to limit fair use in such a way as to make them more money. Consider what does not happen when DRM is in play; no one is likely to loan a book because it means loaning the reader the book is on as well. How many more copies of Harry Potter could have been sold if everyone who read it had to buy their own copy? Likewise, it is also being used to tie people into devices; Kindle and Sony PRS owners will have to continue buying Kindles and PRS's if they want to continue to have access to their DRM'd books.
--
Bill