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BearMountainBooks · 10-12-2014, 07:08 PM

I do think the "casual" sharer is more dangerous than most people comprehend. I even had a relative "share" a file with a friend. Obviously a discussion ensued. The relative never thought a thing of it--certainly didn't think of it harming my income. It's ignorance and lack of forethought that is the biggest danger. But generally people who will share something casually are not going to sit down and break DRM. They aren't that interested. The DRM serves as a reminder that "oh yeah, I'm not supposed to share." Make it too easy and you can have a disaster.

I also edit and help authors on the side as a business. I get asked about DRM. It's a very personal decision, but I still like the ability to turn it on and off. For the educated reader (and by this I mean educated about the dangers and potential danger of sharing) I don't worry. I do trust my readers. They don't hunt down my blog and purchase a book there because they intend to share it with their 25 best friends.

I really appreciate Kobo's ability to let me apply it or not depending on what is going on in the industry. It's very difficult if you must decide "all or nothing" and can't readily undo it or add it later, especially if you are working for a client. Because as soon as that client gets burned--and it is likely to happen more than once, they may want to add DRM.

10-12-2014, 07:08 PM	#56
BearMountainBooks Maria Schneider Posts: 3,746 Karma: 26439330 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Austin, Texas Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard	I do think the "casual" sharer is more dangerous than most people comprehend. I even had a relative "share" a file with a friend. Obviously a discussion ensued. The relative never thought a thing of it--certainly didn't think of it harming my income. It's ignorance and lack of forethought that is the biggest danger. But generally people who will share something casually are not going to sit down and break DRM. They aren't that interested. The DRM serves as a reminder that "oh yeah, I'm not supposed to share." Make it too easy and you can have a disaster. I also edit and help authors on the side as a business. I get asked about DRM. It's a very personal decision, but I still like the ability to turn it on and off. For the educated reader (and by this I mean educated about the dangers and potential danger of sharing) I don't worry. I do trust my readers. They don't hunt down my blog and purchase a book there because they intend to share it with their 25 best friends. I really appreciate Kobo's ability to let me apply it or not depending on what is going on in the industry. It's very difficult if you must decide "all or nothing" and can't readily undo it or add it later, especially if you are working for a client. Because as soon as that client gets burned--and it is likely to happen more than once, they may want to add DRM.