Quote:
Originally Posted by John F
Most definitions I see for DRM do not mention physical objects. For example:
abbreviation for Digital Rights Management: types of technology used to prevent people from illegally copying software, music, movies, etc.:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/...ry/english/drm |
The issue is that software is at the heart of much of today's hardware - automobiles, farm machinery and other physical products. It is almost impossible to repair a modern automobile or major farm machine without accessing the software. And that software is protected by DRM methods. In the US there is a "Right to Repair" movement that is attempting to force manufacturers to provide access to proprietary software for maintenance and repair purposes.
@Quoth's John Deere reference is a case in point. Farmers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for a piece of farm equipment and cannot do basic maintenance because of software restrictions. Everything has to be done by a John Deere authorized dealer.