Bill Clinton’s ‘My Life’ has already been pirated:
“Very possibly the piracy is happening from an edition in Microsoft Reader or Adobe Reader or Palm/eReader, all listed on the Random House/Knopf site and all very hackable.”
Read the Article
There are some good points in this article on DRM and why it is “working” at all. Is it because the encryption schemes are too difficult to break? We already know that isn’t the case. Or is it rather, that laws in place today prevent us from using technology to the fullest:
Why does DRM work here? Is it because DRM is a technical marvel defeating all who attempt to break it? No, DRM works only because the law says it does. Why not simply say:
The DMCA does work and it can be good for business and acceptable to consumers. While most folks might prefer no DMCA, that’s just not viable in today’s world and most consumers will accept DMCA solutions because the law gives them no choice.
Read the Article
Long (but worth the read) is this transcript of a talk originally given to Microsoft’s Research Group and other interested parties from within the company at their Redmond offices on June 17, 2004. You can read the full text here.
Here’s what I’m here to convince you of:
1. That DRM systems don’t work
2. That DRM systems are bad for society
3. That DRM systems are bad for business
4. That DRM systems are bad for artists
5. That DRM is a bad business-move for MSFT
