Comments on: U.K. government rejects calls for DRM ban

Almost 1,500 sign anti-DRM petition, but U.K. officials say the technology, when certain safeguards are observed, still has value.

[mwendy]

DRM protects against stealing

This is a non-issue. DRM is a tool to protect against those who STEAL content.


Nice try on the consumers' rights - but if you steal it, you're in the wrong.

[qwerty75]

DRM protects nothing

For starters copyright infringement is not the same as stealing, not that I am advocating it.

Secondly, the only thing DRM does is keep honest people honest and treat them like criminals.

The sooner content industries learn that DRM is damaging them far more then pirating operations, that can easily circumvent it anyway, the better.

[Had_to_be_said]

Actually, DRM... itself... IS a form of THEFT.

The sad FACT is that...

"DRMs" primary function has actually been proven to be the elimination of, most, INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP RIGHTS. "Fair Use" is the LEGALLY-RECOGNIZED expression of those "rights".

However, the IMPOSITION of external CONTROL and LIMITING LEGAL-USE, and "transfer", after purchase, IS a direct, intentional, ABUSE of these most fundamental "rights" of private-property ownership.

Furthermore, even the "media industry" has, flat-out, admitted that "DRM" DOES NOT stop "piracy"... PERIOD. So, any claims to the contrary is, quite literally, an intentional LIE.

But, I will agree that, "...if you steal it, you're in the wrong"

Unfortunately, in this case, it is "DRM" and the companies that use it, which are the REAL THIEVES.

[qwerty75]

Money trumps all

England is no different.

"DRM does not only act as a policeman through technical protection measures, it also enables content companies to offer the consumer unprecedented choice in terms of how they consume content, and the corresponding price they wish to pay"

Too bad it only polices honest people and restricts their rights under fair use, it does not give a choice. In fact it limits choice. From making backups to what media player you can use. DRM is all about control, not choice.

The government is obviously saying exactly what the content industry is telling them to. It has no basis in reality.

[fcekuahd]

DRM punishes the wrong people.

"DRM is a tool to protect against those who STEAL content."

Nice strawman.

If you take a look at P2P networks you will find that DRM has very little to no impact. It is a minor speedbump at best.

The result is rather peculiar. Those who 'STEAL' get their DRM-free content from P2P while those that actually pay (you know, those customers that you actually want to encourage to continue buying your stuff?) get slapped with the DRM-encumbered product.

"but if you steal it, you're in the wrong."

Agreed. Or rather, those who create should have the right to benefit from their work. However, filesharing isn't going to go away. DRM won't stop filesharing. Calling for more DRM is equivalent to lowering the value of the legal product, which unfortunately makes filesharing a more compelling alternative.

If you want to get paid you need to find ways to make your product more compelling, not less.