[Gllug] Anti-DRM event in Central London tomorrow!

[salsaman]

Martin A. Brooks wrote:

> Simon Morris wrote:
>
>> I really hope to see some of the GLLUG membership at the event.
>
>
> It's not often we directly disagree, but I think this event is 
> confusing intent with implementation.  The implementation _is_ 
> appalling but saying "DRM Bad" as an absolute is, at best, 
> misleading.  There's nothing wrong, in principle, with copyright 
> holders dictating how their product is distributed and managed.   
> Let's have everyone present at this demonstration sign a public 
> declaration that they've not downloaded copyrighted material  
> _before_  they start protesting their rights to use the stuff they've 
> actually purchased.
>
>
There are already plenty of legal means to ensure that illicit copying 
and distribution can be punished and prevented. One goal of DRM is 
simply to save the big companies money and hassle on enforcement. One 
could argue that the cost to prosecute illegal infringers is simply a 
"cost of revenue", and that the big companies make enough money that 
this is a small percentage of their (in many people's view vastly too 
high) income.

DRM seeks to enforce laws through technological means. In doing so, it 
cannot distinguish between what is considered fair use, and what is 
considered illegal infringement. Furthermore, DRM limits choice - it 
dictates what hardware and software may be used to access content. In 
addition, it requires other new very restrictive laws, for example the 
DMCA which criminalises breaking DRM, or even talking about how to break 
DRM in theoretical terms. The companies behind DRM have gone on record 
as saying that DRM may not be broken, even in cases where not doing so 
could lead to loss of life. [http://www.freedom-to-tinker.com/?p=984]

Another aspect to DRM is that it can be used to lock out "unwanted" 
content. For example, if all devices of a certain type implement DRM, a 
fee can be charged to have content signed, and this fee can be set so as 
to lock out non-commercial products. In a similar way, the choice of 
formats and distibution can be tightly controlled.

Gabriel.
http://lives.sourceforge.net : keeping the media free and open !

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