[rlauzon]

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

The point is that DRM is not used all that often as a hardware lock-in, particularly for ebooks.

And my point still is that Hardware lock in is like a 200 sq ft prison cell.
Vendor lock in is like a 700 sq ft cell.

Yes, vendor lock in is better, but it's still a prison cell.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Microsoft used DRM for its PlaysForSure content, which was not locked to a specific hardware device,

Laugh! PlaysForSure content sure didn't play on a Zune. Talk to the many, many people who purchased PlaysForSure "secured" content and then bought a Zune, only to find that the Zune wouldn't play the content that they "bought".

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Apple seems to be one of the bigger offenders in this department -- e.g. initially iTunes audio tracks only worked on Apple hardware, for example -- but DRM is just a small part of that tendency. They use a multitude of techniques to control their platforms, with both positive and negative consequences. Even so, they switched their music sales to DRM-free not too long ago.

But iTunes will only work with closed platforms and iTunes is the only program that will (reliably) sync your music with an iPod. Apple updates to iPods keep breaking the 3rd party programs.

Hmmm... Still smells like vendor lock in to me.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

In contrast, Amazon -- whom I'm sure many people here would blast as "using DRM as a vendor lock-in method" -- sells DRM-free music, video files

The topic here is eBooks. The Music industry already (grudgingly) accepted the truth of the market.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

How, exactly, does the above reveal a diabolical design by Amazon to lock their customers into a specific hardware platform via DRM?

Ever hear of the Kindle? Ever hear of Amazon eBook DRM?

How many non-Amazon devices can read an Amazon DRMed eBook?

Why did Amazon make their Mobipocket format different from the one that had been in use for years?

In order for DRM to do anything reasonably useful, the reading device must remain outside the customer's control. It must remain closed. Once the device opens up, the secret that the DRM uses to keep content "secure" is out and the DRM becomes a useless expense.

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Paper books also "bake in" their own restrictions.

Yes, yes, yes. But all those restrictions are because the book is physical. Again, the topic is eBooks, not pBooks.