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Originally Posted by Shaggy
What does whether it's a license or a sale have to do with DRM?
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They argued that you didn't really own the music, you owned a license to listen to music on that CD, and thus had no right to burn a copy, rip it to MP3s etc. That was their justification for putting on the DRM. And DRM was the way to enforce the license--so they go hand in hand.
Courts didn't rule against the DRM because of the license issue being illegal, they ruled against it because the CD installed files on the user's PC with no warning etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaggy
They could put on a warning screen saying that you were only allowed to watch the movie if you're wearing a pink tutu... it doesn't mean anything.
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My point is that courts have upheld that the copy protection encryption on DVDs and Blu Rays is legal, so really you're just buying a license to watch that disc, and not owning the content, so you can't back it up, copy it, make a digital version for your laptop etc.
And the warnings have legal backing. Try advertising a few public viewings of some new release movies at at bar or club you own and see what happens when it gets noticed and you get taken to court.
We can all talk till we're blue in the face about what the situation should be. But at least in the US in recent years most court rulings have been in favor of protecting copyright holders and not consumers rights. Extending copyright to 70 years after death. Upholding DVD encryption. Giving a slap on the wrist to software companies that only resulted in them having to be very clear that people were buying licenses etc.
And there's thus little reason to believe it will be any different with e-books as the niche grows and some DRM/licensing cases appear before the courts.