One author's pledge on DRM

starrigger · 09-15-2010, 01:07 AM

DRM seems to be one of the perennial hot topics here, so I thought I would copy the following statement that I just put up on my website. I imagine most of the writers here take the same position, but I thought it might be good to make it explicit. Here it is; the pledge comes at the end. Skip ahead if you want, since the first part covers familiar ground.

My DRM Philosophy and Policy

DRM (or Digital Rights Management) refers to the encryption that is often applied to electronic media to prevent customers from sharing the files they've purchased, or to keep them from using the files on any but the particular device that the seller wants them to use. The principle is the same, whether it's DRM-restrictions on a music file, a movie DVD, or an ebook. The purported purpose is to protect the copyright—to prevent the purchaser from engaging in misuse of the file, whether it's uploading it to a pirate site or sharing it with Grandma.

The effect of DRM is to alienate the customers, by limiting their fair use of the media, by making it hard to archive their purchases for safekeeping, and by generally getting in their way and treating them like would-be criminals. That's my view, and I believe that many of my fellow writers share it.

I hate DRM, both as an author hoping to reach readers, and as a customer of books or music or movies hoping to use my purchases in the way that best suits my legitimate purposes. Therefore, whenever I have the choice, my ebooks are available for purchase or download free of DRM.

Sometimes it's beyond my control—either because a publisher has decided to go with DRM, or because the retailers have made it a requirement. There's not much I can do about that, if I want those books to be on sale—and I do. But I can do this:

MY PLEDGE

If you buy one of my ebooks from a store that uses DRM, and you can't download or read the book on your chosen device—whether it's the reader you originally bought it for or another—I want to help. Email me, preferably with some evidence of your purchase, and I will provide you with a copy that works for you. If you want to share it with a family member or a close friend the way you might a paper book, that's fine with me. If you want to convert the file to work on a different device, feel free. I trust you not to share it indiscriminately. I figure if I treat you with respect, you'll respect my need to earn a living, so I can continue to write. And you'll get to read my book and own a copy of it, which was the whole point to begin with.

FizzyWater · 09-15-2010, 01:27 AM

Kumabjorn · 09-15-2010, 01:41 AM

+1

But doesn't your publisher have a say in this?

starrigger · 09-15-2010, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

+1

But doesn't your publisher have a say in this?

I can't think why they would object. They're interested in having satisfied customers, too--and I'm saving them the hassle of dealing with a complaint. Anyway, can't I give a copy of my book to a reader if I want to?

Kumabjorn · 09-15-2010, 04:42 AM

I suppose that depends on your contract with your publisher. With printed copies I assume you get a certain amount to distribute as you see fit. Don't know how that works with electronic copies.

avantman42 · 09-15-2010, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrigger

Anyway, can't I give a copy of my book to a reader if I want to?

If your contract with the publisher assigned the copyright to them, you'd need their permission to do so legally. If you retain the copyright, then yes you can.

At least, that's my understanding. I'm not a lawyer, but I am interested in copyright issues.

HarryT · 09-15-2010, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avantman42

If your contract with the publisher assigned the copyright to them, you'd need their permission to do so legally. If you retain the copyright, then yes you can.

At least, that's my understanding. I'm not a lawyer, but I am interested in copyright issues.

I don't know of any publishing contract that assigns copyright to the publisher. They can, however, assign exclusive distribution rights to the publisher, in which case the author would subsequently be in breach of contract were he to distribute copies of the book himself.

avantman42 · 09-15-2010, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I don't know of any publishing contract that assigns copyright to the publisher. They can, however, assign exclusive distribution rights to the publisher, in which case the author would subsequently be in breach of contract were he to distribute copies of the book himself.

Ah, fair enough. I know nothing about publishing contracts, but I was under the impression that it was common in all the creative industries for the creator to sign over copyright when signing a deal.

neilmarr · 09-15-2010, 05:59 AM

If you buy one of my ebooks from a store that uses DRM, and you can't download or read the book on your chosen device—whether it's the reader you originally bought it for or another—I want to help. Email me, preferably with some evidence of your purchase, and I will provide you with a copy that works for you. If you want to share it with a family member or a close friend the way you might a paper book, that's fine with me. If you want to convert the file to work on a different device, feel free. I trust you not to share it indiscriminately. I figure if I treat you with respect, you'll respect my need to earn a living, so I can continue to write. And you'll get to read my book and own a copy of it, which was the whole point to begin with.

This is quite brilliant, Starrigger.

And, with your permission, I will shamelessly plagiarise it for my own site (I'll pass a draft by you).

Being a partner in our indie publishing house (and knowing my other partner and co-workers so well), we will have no problem making this promise ourselves.

There may be some opposition from third-party retailers who slap their own DRM on our ebooks and without our permission. Quite honestly, I don't give Kurt Vonnegut's 'flying f*ck at the mooooon'.

We detest DRM, but the only assurance we've been able to make up to now is that ebooks from our own site are GUARANTEED DRM-free. This idea of yours means we can take that a tad further. And tell those who use DRM to exploit and inconvenience the honest buyer, 'Up yours!'

Many thanks, Starrigger -- and here's maximum karma to you for a fine thought. Best wishes. Neil

Jellby · 09-15-2010, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I don't know of any publishing contract that assigns copyright to the publisher.

In academic journal publishing, you usually have to sign a copyright transfer form before your article is published. But this, as far as I know, affects only the final edited and typeset version of the article.

kennyc · 09-15-2010, 07:25 AM

Good for you Jeffrey!

GhostHawk · 09-15-2010, 07:28 AM

Applause!

And Karma headed your way sir! Salute

kcmay · 09-15-2010, 07:28 AM

This is quite awesome! Sadly, I published TKL to Amazon without fully understanding what DRM was or how it affected readers, and so it has DRM enabled. But the novella does not, nor will The Venom of Vipers when I upload that. All my books are/will be available on Smashwords, too, though -- even in Kindle format.

May I copy your text to use on my site & blog and give you proper attribution (and a link)?

sabredog · 09-15-2010, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrigger

I figure if I treat you with respect, you'll respect my need to earn a living, so I can continue to write. And you'll get to read my book and own a copy of it, which was the whole point to begin with.

I am going to buy a couple more of your Chaos Chronicles ebooks now.

Thanks for your trust in us, the reading masses.

You have my respect.

starrigger · 09-15-2010, 02:29 PM

Neill and KC, yes, of course you may use the text and adapt it in whatever way works for you. It's not like the idea's original with me. I just thought it should be stated outright.

I'd be interested in hearing how other writers (or publishers) on the board feel about it.

09-15-2010, 01:07 AM	#1
starrigger Jeffrey A. Carver Posts: 1,355 Karma: 1107383 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Device: Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Droid phone, Nook HD+	One author's pledge on DRM DRM seems to be one of the perennial hot topics here, so I thought I would copy the following statement that I just put up on my website. I imagine most of the writers here take the same position, but I thought it might be good to make it explicit. Here it is; the pledge comes at the end. Skip ahead if you want, since the first part covers familiar ground. My DRM Philosophy and Policy DRM (or Digital Rights Management) refers to the encryption that is often applied to electronic media to prevent customers from sharing the files they've purchased, or to keep them from using the files on any but the particular device that the seller wants them to use. The principle is the same, whether it's DRM-restrictions on a music file, a movie DVD, or an ebook. The purported purpose is to protect the copyright—to prevent the purchaser from engaging in misuse of the file, whether it's uploading it to a pirate site or sharing it with Grandma. The effect of DRM is to alienate the customers, by limiting their fair use of the media, by making it hard to archive their purchases for safekeeping, and by generally getting in their way and treating them like would-be criminals. That's my view, and I believe that many of my fellow writers share it. I hate DRM, both as an author hoping to reach readers, and as a customer of books or music or movies hoping to use my purchases in the way that best suits my legitimate purposes. Therefore, whenever I have the choice, my ebooks are available for purchase or download free of DRM. Sometimes it's beyond my control—either because a publisher has decided to go with DRM, or because the retailers have made it a requirement. There's not much I can do about that, if I want those books to be on sale—and I do. But I can do this: MY PLEDGE If you buy one of my ebooks from a store that uses DRM, and you can't download or read the book on your chosen device—whether it's the reader you originally bought it for or another—I want to help. Email me, preferably with some evidence of your purchase, and I will provide you with a copy that works for you. If you want to share it with a family member or a close friend the way you might a paper book, that's fine with me. If you want to convert the file to work on a different device, feel free. I trust you not to share it indiscriminately. I figure if I treat you with respect, you'll respect my need to earn a living, so I can continue to write. And you'll get to read my book and own a copy of it, which was the whole point to begin with.

09-15-2010, 05:59 AM	#9
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	If you buy one of my ebooks from a store that uses DRM, and you can't download or read the book on your chosen device—whether it's the reader you originally bought it for or another—I want to help. Email me, preferably with some evidence of your purchase, and I will provide you with a copy that works for you. If you want to share it with a family member or a close friend the way you might a paper book, that's fine with me. If you want to convert the file to work on a different device, feel free. I trust you not to share it indiscriminately. I figure if I treat you with respect, you'll respect my need to earn a living, so I can continue to write. And you'll get to read my book and own a copy of it, which was the whole point to begin with. This is quite brilliant, Starrigger. And, with your permission, I will shamelessly plagiarise it for my own site (I'll pass a draft by you). Being a partner in our indie publishing house (and knowing my other partner and co-workers so well), we will have no problem making this promise ourselves. There may be some opposition from third-party retailers who slap their own DRM on our ebooks and without our permission. Quite honestly, I don't give Kurt Vonnegut's 'flying fck at the mooooon'. We detest DRM, but the only assurance we've been able to make up to now is that ebooks from our own* site are GUARANTEED DRM-free. This idea of yours means we can take that a tad further. And tell those who use DRM to exploit and inconvenience the honest buyer, 'Up yours!' Many thanks, Starrigger -- and here's maximum karma to you for a fine thought. Best wishes. Neil Attached Thumbnails Last edited by neilmarr; 09-15-2010 at 06:02 AM. Reason: trypos -- ol' keyboard on last legs

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09-15-2010, 01:27 AM	#2
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of

09-15-2010, 01:41 AM	#3
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	+1 But doesn't your publisher have a say in this?

09-15-2010, 04:42 AM	#5
Kumabjorn Basculocolpic Posts: 4,356 Karma: 20181319 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Kindle 4SO, Kindle for Android, Sony PRS-350 and PRS-T1	I suppose that depends on your contract with your publisher. With printed copies I assume you get a certain amount to distribute as you see fit. Don't know how that works with electronic copies.

09-15-2010, 07:25 AM	#11
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,872 Karma: 118716293 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Good for you Jeffrey!

09-15-2010, 07:28 AM	#12
GhostHawk Data Privateer! Posts: 586 Karma: 62887 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fargo ND Device: Ectaco Jetbook& Jetbook Lite	Applause! And Karma headed your way sir! Salute

09-15-2010, 07:28 AM	#13
kcmay Addict Posts: 363 Karma: 500001 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Georgia, USA Device: Kindle2	This is quite awesome! Sadly, I published TKL to Amazon without fully understanding what DRM was or how it affected readers, and so it has DRM enabled. But the novella does not, nor will The Venom of Vipers when I upload that. All my books are/will be available on Smashwords, too, though -- even in Kindle format. May I copy your text to use on my site & blog and give you proper attribution (and a link)?

09-15-2010, 02:29 PM	#15
starrigger Jeffrey A. Carver Posts: 1,355 Karma: 1107383 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Device: Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Droid phone, Nook HD+	Neill and KC, yes, of course you may use the text and adapt it in whatever way works for you. It's not like the idea's original with me. I just thought it should be stated outright. I'd be interested in hearing how other writers (or publishers) on the board feel about it.

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