How DRM becomes law - a look at the back room dealings

Bob Russell · 07-12-2007, 08:28 AM

Information Week has published an article by Cory Doctorow called "A Behind-The-Scenes Look At How DRM Becomes Law".

"Otto von Bismarck quipped, 'Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.' I've seen sausages made. I've seen laws made. Both processes are pleasant in comparison to the way anti-copying technology agreements are made."

It is hard to imagine anyone looking rationally at existing copyright and DRM laws, and coming away convinced that they are a complete, rational and effective solution for society. This article helps us understand why, and shows very clearly why there is such a gap between many of the practical, legal and moral/ethical considerations in the DRM debate.

Via DefectiveByDesign.

JSWolf · 07-12-2007, 11:02 AM

If you put in DRM, then you'll get people cracking the DRM and it'll still get out there. And people who might have gotten their content legally will say "screw the DRM" and get it illegally. More so then if the DRM was not there in the first place.

slayda · 07-12-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you put in DRM, then you'll get people cracking the DRM and it'll still get out there. And people who might have gotten their content legally will say "screw the DRM" and get it illegally. More so then if the DRM was not there in the first place.

And here I thought that (If you put in DRM, then you'll get people cracking the DRM) was just a mechanism to help make American youths compete better in the sciences!

NatCh · 07-12-2007, 05:01 PM

Gotta keep the little rascals out of trouble somehow.

yvanleterrible · 07-13-2007, 08:51 AM

Locks are meant to keep honest people out or have they forgotten?

They will loose hardware sales (readers that is) just because of that. No one wants to be captive of one device.

Judems · 07-23-2007, 07:00 AM

I am interested in the Plustek Scanner that was written about sometime ago. I wanted to know if it was feasible to buy one of these and gradually put all of my paper books into an e-book format. I read Bob's first part but I haven't seen anything since, perhaps I missed it. Any info would be appreciated. JB

Bob Russell · 07-23-2007, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judems

I am interested in the Plustek Scanner that was written about sometime ago. I wanted to know if it was feasible to buy one of these and gradually put all of my paper books into an e-book format. I read Bob's first part but I haven't seen anything since, perhaps I missed it. Any info would be appreciated. JB

The Plustek Scanner is great, but it's still a lot of work to scan a book. You probably wouldn't want to convert a library of books. If you only have a dozen and are willing to spend some time on them, that's certainly possible. If you were willing to destroy the book, you'll find that a two sided auto feed sheet scanner is probably faster. But it still takes some time to tear/cut apart the book. It might be a while before a simple and really fast book scanner is available at a price that makes it a good choice for converting a library of books without being a complete fanatic.

07-12-2007, 08:28 AM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	How DRM becomes law - a look at the back room dealings Information Week has published an article by Cory Doctorow called "A Behind-The-Scenes Look At How DRM Becomes Law". "Otto von Bismarck quipped, 'Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.' I've seen sausages made. I've seen laws made. Both processes are pleasant in comparison to the way anti-copying technology agreements are made." It is hard to imagine anyone looking rationally at existing copyright and DRM laws, and coming away convinced that they are a complete, rational and effective solution for society. This article helps us understand why, and shows very clearly why there is such a gap between many of the practical, legal and moral/ethical considerations in the DRM debate. Via DefectiveByDesign.

07-23-2007, 07:00 AM	#6
Judems Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2006 Device: eBookman/Palm z22	Scanner I am interested in the Plustek Scanner that was written about sometime ago. I wanted to know if it was feasible to buy one of these and gradually put all of my paper books into an e-book format. I read Bob's first part but I haven't seen anything since, perhaps I missed it. Any info would be appreciated. JB

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07-12-2007, 11:02 AM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,975 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If you put in DRM, then you'll get people cracking the DRM and it'll still get out there. And people who might have gotten their content legally will say "screw the DRM" and get it illegally. More so then if the DRM was not there in the first place.

07-12-2007, 05:01 PM	#4
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Gotta keep the little rascals out of trouble somehow.

07-13-2007, 08:51 AM	#5
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Locks are meant to keep honest people out or have they forgotten? They will loose hardware sales (readers that is) just because of that. No one wants to be captive of one device.

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