Quote:
Originally Posted by mr ploppy
Change the layout to my own preferences, and fix all the mistakes for the next time I want to read it.
Most of your "freedoms" (and both of mine) are about DRM, since that is what stops you from doing them. But there are a couple, borrow and sell ebooks, that wouldn't be possible without DRM.
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Agreed. DRM is the key to many of the freedoms. It is probably true to say at the moment that those who embrace Apprentice Alf and are prepared to circumvent geographical restrictions enjoy these freedoms in any event, in fact but not by law. If Apprentice Alf ever fails it will be interesting to see the extent of the backlash. Having said this, DRM does not exactly have a sterling track record, as some very talented hackers always seem to take a new or changed DRM system as a challenge. Also, the current situation where there is still a flourishing trade in selling ebooks despite the ease of obtaining pirated copies makes it far more likely that DRM will increasingly cease to be utilised.
Borrowing and re-selling ebooks is possible without DRM, but it is probably not reasonable to expect these freedoms to be extended to us in its absence. Though, of course, borrowing does seem to work currently.