[rlauzon]

Originally Posted by markiehill

Also the technology to copy DVD's like for like without compression and other techy stuff was not there for the layperson until of late.

You need to look at link deleted

Originally Posted by markiehill

However a downloadable ebook can be easily copied and passed betwen friends via email and is no bigger usually than a few MB at the most. A receipe for disaster for a publisher. I have heard it said that the physical book is the best DRM of all, and i agree... if you give it away you lose it.

Yet places like Fictionwise don't seem to have any issues with wholesale copying.

Originally Posted by markiehill

I also disagree that you could not have an open DRM format, PGP is an open and well understood encryption technique but very hard to crack despite the fact you can examine the code in detail.

I've already demonstrated that I am correct on this in a previous post. In my example, I used PGP as the protection mechanism and it failed.

The main issue is that DRM is protecting the content from YOU - the reader - not a pirate. In order for you to actually use the content you paid for, you have to have the keys. Well, if you have the keys, then a program can be written that removes the DRM - the DRM has now failed.

The only solution is for the keys to be protected from you and embedded in the reader - making the reader a closed, proprietary product.

Originally Posted by markiehill

To me DRM has to be a balance between keeping the customer honest and providing the most flexible model for the consumer.

There is no balance with DRM. Between DRM and the DMCA, the content cartel holds all the rights.

Originally Posted by markiehill

To counter your 10 years from now scenario, with the correct open code, all you would need to remember are your keys and you will be fine.

But you have no keys to remember. If you knew the keys, then the DRM has failed and the content is no longer protected.

Again, DRM protects the content from YOU - the customer.