defectivebydesign.org — "As of today, all of the world's largest music labels, have announced the sale of DRM-free music downloads in the United States. That you would take this moment to propose that the European Union seek to impose DRM on European citizens is both senseless and irresponsible."
Jan 5, 2008 View in Crawl 4
therookerJan 5, 2008
I've read the whole proposal - and yet I disagree with you: Having "one DRM to rule them all" does not make anything better. It will only make it easier to keep the customers blind.As I've already posted above:The trend currently is that hardly anyone knows what they're doing - and what consequences that will/could have. Not even the ones that should: For example: Broadcasters, Artists and Archivists.Most of them do not know or understand the technical aspects of DRM - and thus are incapable of making proper choices in that regard, neither do they think about social/cultural consequences if creative-lock-in became a standard.----Just think about where you would be today if the enforcement of intellectual property could have been controlled as seamlessly as DRM-promoters are hoping? (small example: Almost every teacher violates several copyright laws by handing out copies, etc...)Sharing knowledge and artistic work is what makes a great culture - impeding this can never be good!
init100Jan 5, 2008
"Please digg this, and even more important: please sign the petition."I won't sign anything that doesn't care to explain how they handle my personal information. They ask for my email address, but how can I trust that it doesn't get posted on a web site (it is an open letter after all), and I'd really not like that.By the way, why are there two signature boxes? There is no explanation for that either.
martinwguyJan 5, 2008
Mmm. But the rootkits are only possible because MS Windows is so pathetically insecure, booting off a CD as soon as it is inserted, automatically running anything on it without asking you, and immediately giving unlimited access to the entire machine to anything that is run from it, including the installation/replacement of OS components. Same goes for the virus storms that cripple our information structure and make the computin experience a nightmare for most people. *Anything* but windows! :)
bdbrJan 5, 2008
I really wish people would look beyond the scope of purchased music. DRM can still have its place for content that hasn't yet been purchased. Subscription services are the most obvious example, but I think it makes the most sense for previewing. The more compatible these services are with various consumer devices, the better it is for the consumer. Clearly, DRMed content will always be limited in its usefulness to the consumer, but it could be useful for promotional purposes.This is where government intervention could be useful: to provide a compromise that is fair to both reseller and consumer. They should standardize a method of DRM (so it'd work on any player) but only authorize it for copies that are not for sale. DRM should be illegal on works that are for sale.This could enable interesting business models. Example: an album is usually completed a couple of months before official release. A label could seed a DRMed version on bittorrent that will let people listen to it as much as they want prior to release (after release, they could be authorized to listen to it as much as they want during a one-week period). The customer hasn't spent a dime yet, and the label get free promotion with only the overhead of the DRM service. If consumers like it, they can then buy a DRM-free copy and do whatever they want with that. Sure, the DRM will get stripped and pirate versions will be around, but that can't be stopped. Somehow I expect the biggest objection to this (on Digg) will be the notion that the customer has to actually pay for the DRM-free download. It seems like what people really want is the ability to do anything they want with content they've never purchased; I find myself wondering why anyone (other than garage bands) would bother to create content in such an environment.
Closed AccountJan 8, 2008
That's why you have multiple accounts. I used my main one, big deal if it gets published. Nothing will hold me back from signing this thing.
himselfJan 8, 2008
great. And once they offer open, lossless formats for download I'll buy, otherwise I'll stick to CDs.
cuzinvinnieMay 7, 2008
I love Freedom