Microsoft DRM Locks You Out Of Your Own Documents

from the reason-number-6495884672-why-DRM-sucks dept

Mon, Dec 14th 2009 7:01am — Mike Masnick

In case you haven't been paying attention, there's yet to be a good reason put forth for using DRM that I can remember. We've seen over and over again how DRM seems to interfere with legitimate actions, but does nothing at all to slow down "pirates." Slashdot points to a rather scary situations for those who used Microsoft Office 2003 to DRM certain documents for their own use. Apparently, a screwup on the part of Microsoft (oops) means that many people got locked out of their own documents. Basically, Microsoft let a certificate expire, and that's made life difficult for lots and lots of people. So what good is DRM again?

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Filed Under: documents, drm, microsoft office
Companies: microsoft

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ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:14am

It's not a Bug, it's a Feature
Hey, those documents are *secure,* dammit.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:14am

categorically discounting drm is stupid
yes, most DRM ends in some sort of shafting of the consumer, but various forms of DRM have single-handedly prevented most (if not all) unlicensed users from playing on steam, b.n, xbl, and various other networks. yes, DRM does fuck legitimate consumers all the time, but to say that DRM doesn't reduce piracy is factually false.
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moore850, 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:18am

Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Agreed, DRM only seems bad if it keeps you from pirating something, or if it affects your ability to choose to give away your own content. When it's your stuff that's being pirated against your wishes, you'll feel differently about it.
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ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:19am

Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Name something you can't find in the wild.
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Mike Masnick (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:27am

Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Agreed, DRM only seems bad if it keeps you from pirating something, or if it affects your ability to choose to give away your own content. When it's your stuff that's being pirated against your wishes, you'll feel differently about it.

Name a situation where DRM has stopped something from being pirated.

You can't, because it doesn't exist. DRM has never stopped piracy in any way. It has only caused problems for legitimate users. If you're using DRM to prevent stuff from "being pirated against your own wishes" you've made a mistake.
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diatonic, 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:27am

Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Unbroken DRM: DirecTV signal (finally), XM/Sirius satellite radio. Those are two I can think of currently, I'm sure there's a lot more.
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:Lobo Santo (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:28am

Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
...but to say that DRM doesn't reduce piracy is factually false.

Agreed! It is a well known fact that DRM increases piracy drastically.
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The Groove Tiger (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:30am

Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Didn't we all agree that piracy was beaten once and for all by Microsoft?
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Ima Fish (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:31am

Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
"Unbroken DRM: DirecTV signal (finally)"

The use of finally shows that even if you're right, it is only temporary.

"XM/Sirius satellite radio"

Because it ain't worth the time to hack. I rented a car for a couple of weeks with an XM radio in it. I sounded like crap. Flat, nearly mono. While my MP3 player and FM radio sounded fantastic.
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ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:34am

Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
"Unbroken DRM: DirecTV signal (finally), XM/Sirius satellite radio. Those are two I can think of currently, I'm sure there's a lot more."

Those vary, but more to the point: is there anything ON those networks that you can't get?
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Ima Fish (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:42am

Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Good point, why spend time cracking DirecTV or XM/Sirius' DRM when all the content is available somewhere else?
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Michael, 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:50am

Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
DirectTV has been broken over and over again. The fact that the current one appears to be secure (for the moment) does not mean it will not or has not been hacked.

As far as the XM/Sirius - sorry, but it's been hacked. XM had a problem (not so long ago) with their radios identifiers being spoofed on multiple devices and their system allowed one subscription for all devices with the same identifier. I'm not sure if they have yet defeated this, but I saw it working before the Sirius/XM merger.

Disclaimer - I am a long-time Sirius subscriber that is letting his subscriptions run out this year because it it not worth the cost.
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JonAshley (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:52am

DRM locked my video
I recently had to return a purchased Archos video player with video-recording add-on hardware.
Videos of interview sessions (shot by us, using our video camera) were DRM-locked and could not be played back on a PC, Mac, etc. Anywhere outside the Archos player.
Vendor and Archos could offer no solution, though Archos acknowledged it was "a known issue". From what I gathered they simply don't plan on fixing it.
Not clear to me if the AVI's (apparently compressed with DivX) had Microsoft in the mix or not... But DRM successfully prevent me from using MY OWN VIDEO, and prevented a sale for Archos.
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MLASS, 14 Dec 2009 @ 7:52am

I have never had an issue with pirated music, but have lost alot due to DRM issues that I have purchased. DRM is a reason I would not buy a song and the fact that itunes has removed DRM I fell safer to buy from iTunes.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:09am

Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Name an instance?

Easy.

I used to work in a repair shop. Countless times people brought in PCs with pirated versions of Windows on them that had started nagging them about it. For whatever reason, they took it to us instead of the wanna-be "Hero" who installed it in the first-place.

Needless to say, a valid license later and they were happy.

Sure...it doesn't stop those dead-set on getting something for nothing, but then...it was never meant to. It was meant to stop those folks who came into my shop...the one's who were pirating without really knowing it, and without actual effort to do so on their part.

Ya know, this whole thing called "Casual Piracy"...
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Bubba Gump (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:12am

Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Could you please explain how required a login/password for an online service equates to "DRM"?

Or perhaps you are confused.

I suppose your argument applies to my bank account, too.
So DRM is good because my bank uses it by requiring me to show ID when I take money out...????

Hello!!??? Are you listening, AC???
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Ima Fish (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:21am

Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
"Easy...

Only because the people who are coming into your shop are ignorant. Their are easy cracks and work-arounds to eliminate the nagging. In other words, the DRM does not stop people from using the software for free. The fact that some people are too ignorant to bypass the DRM does not mean the DRM is secure.
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Will (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:22am

Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
So basically it just stopped those who didn't have the skills to make it work. Those same people probably don't realize there are alternatives to windows that are free and easy to get to work. Their ignorance isn't proof that DRM stopped piracy.
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Hulser (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:29am

Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Name a situation where DRM has stopped something from being pirated.

You can't, because it doesn't exist. DRM has never stopped piracy in any way.

If you look at a particular item of media -- a movie, a song, a TV show, a computer program -- the statement holds true that DRM has not stopped piracy. Once a single copy of, for example, a computer game has been cracked, it's now available to everyone on the Internet who searches hard enough. But what about on a per copy basis? Can't you say that DRM has stopped individuals from copying a computer game? Sure, if they looked hard enough, they could find a cracked version, but that's often more trouble than it's worth, so in that particular case, DRM did stop piracy.

In fact, this is the reason that you can make the case that selling people non-DRM'ed media at a fair price is a viable business model, because if you make it easy for people to buy legitimatelly and add value to that experience, people will pay money in spite of there being pirated copies available somewhere on the Internet.

I just think that the statement "DRM has never stopped piracy in any way" is not literally true and does a disservice to the argument against DRM. It uses the same twisted logic of studies sponsored by the RIAA/MPAA that fail to take into account the possible benefits of piracy. Yes, on the whole it may not stop piracy and (I believe) is a counterproductive business strategy, but all you have to do is find one person who tried to copy a game, couldn't because of some DRM, and then didn't go out and get a cracked version and you've disproved the statement.

To me, saying that "DRM has never stopped piracy in any way" is like saying that speed limits have never stopped speeding in any way. Sure, you can drive on any road in America and see examples of people speeding, but that doesn't mean that speed limits have never stopped any speeding.
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Anonymous, 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:31am

Digital Signing
I believe this is the same way MS uses executable signing for GFW (Games for Windows). A while back Gears of War (1) was completely unplayable on the PC due to an expired cert, which should have been noticed a long time before. This required the dev to push through a impromptu patch; which itself was delayed by the GFW approval process, just for people to be able to play their game. In this instance it didn't even matter if you pirated it; the digital signing had the same fault. It's a case of planned obsolescence on a tangible product that you own.
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Dino, 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:32am

Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
a dodo?
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:34am

Mike, you should be proud, coming up with a whole slam on both Microsoft and DRM over a simple expired certificate (which is probably being fixed already).

Moral outrage anyone?
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ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:40am

Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
"Sure, if they looked hard enough, they could find a cracked version, but that's often more trouble than it's worth, so in that particular case, DRM did stop piracy."

Yes, DRM is great at preventing copies that nobody really wants. I'll grant you that.
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ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:41am

Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
"a dodo?"

More of a trade secret than DRM, I would think.
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Richard (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:42am

Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
I used to work in a repair shop. Countless times people brought in PCs with pirated versions of Windows on them that had started nagging them about it. For whatever reason, they took it to us instead of the wanna-be "Hero" who installed it in the first-place.

Needless to say, a valid license later and they were happy.

DRM - like drug/alcohol prohibition - is a criminal business opportunity. It locks out the technically non-savvy - who then turn to someone else for help.

They may turn to a legitimate dealer like you for relief (but bear in mind the criminal community has already made a profit on the first sale anyway) but then again it will always be cheaper to go to another commercial pirate.

Now you may say that without DRM the rightsholders would lose more because anyone could copy the stuff - and that might be true - but at least in that case the underworld would not be making money.
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Hulser (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:43am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
The fact that some people are too ignorant to bypass the DRM does not mean the DRM is secure.

Well, the overall question is whether "DRM has never stopped piracy in any way", not whether DRM is absolutely secure. Just because someone is smart enough to bypass DRM illegitimately, doesn't mean that there aren't others out there, the "casual pirates", that are either "too ignorant" to bypass it illegitimately or just simply can't be bothered.
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Hephaestus (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:45am

Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
"Countless times people brought in PCs with pirated versions of Windows on them that had started nagging them about it."

98% of all PC's sold in the US come with the OS already installed. They also dont come with the recovery disks. This is yet another one of those multiple sales "windows" (pardon the unintentional pun) we see all to often for information.
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senshikaze (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:46am

and reason 6,495,884,673 I don't use Microsoft products at home.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:50am

DRM = Digital Rental Media

Exactly how long the rental is varies.
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Urza9814, 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:51am

Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Well yes, but to be fair then you also have to balance that against how many people then refused to purchase the game because of the DRM. You can only say the DRM stopped some piracy if you can show that more people purchased the game with DRM than would have without it - which is an unknowable statistic. I mean it may seem like nobody would ever refuse a game because of DRM, but plenty actually do. Remember Spore? The last game I legitimately purchased I ended up pirating too because it was easier to get the pirated copy with cracked DRM to run than the real one. Since then I haven't purchased any games. I'll stick with the open source or subscription model stuff until this DRM crap goes away.
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., 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:55am

Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
DirectTV seriously?

http://www.bing.com/search?q=DirectTV+hacks&form=OSDSRC

LoL
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Overcast (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:56am

But - you miss the point. It doesn't matter if it's stopped one pirate or a million - if it's pissing off the customers who normally PAY for it, then it's bad, indeed.

There are some companies I hesitate or skip buying from because I'm concerned with DRM/Usability issues. There's other products out there - lots of them - sometimes it's hard to make up my mind, so often DRM and such will be a deciding factor.
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Nicholas Overstreet (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:04am

What, you couldn't get your favorite buzzword "draconian" in this article? I thought for sure I was going to see it...
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Nicholas Overstreet (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:05am

Re:
Home users wouldn't use DRM features... so I fail to see your point.
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The Groove Tiger (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:05am

Re:
"Moral outrage anyone?"

*crickets*
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tracker1 (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:18am

Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Disclaimer - I am a long-time Sirius subscriber that is letting his subscriptions run out this year because it it not worth the cost.

A bit of warning, start calling now to cancel, you will be billed, and they will put you into a queue an hour or so long as soon as you mention canceling. I wanted to cancel one of my radios a couple months back, keeping the other two, the experience was so frustrating, that I wound up canceling their services altogether. It took 3 calls, and nearly 3 hours of my time to do so. I think it was easier to get AOL canceled in the late 90's.
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The Infamous Joe (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:19am

Re:
I think "unusually harsh or strict" adequately describes most IP laws, consequences, and topics. I fail to see your issue with this word.

Please explain. (For bonus points, don't use an ellipsis as a period in your post.)
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Hulser (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:21am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Yes, DRM is great at preventing copies that nobody really wants. I'll grant you that.

It's my guess that there are at least three major aspects to whether or not someone will attempt to find an illegitimate copy of something: 1) their interest level 2) their technical ability and 3) their fear of getting caught. So, using your example, someone may really want a copy of something, but may not know even where to start looking or, even if they did, may judge that it's more risk than they want to deal with.
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., 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:24am

DRM
Was the reason I stopped buying CDs and DVDs a decade ago.

It is much cheaper to just rent stuff. And when it gets obsollete the only thing I have to care is buying a new player :)

I didn't even bother with a bluray and probably never will.

DRM also is the reason I got into linux. Because of all that crap in Vista.

And to be honest I don't miss anything.

I got off the upgrade and maintenance frenzy.
I save almost $2000 dollars a year using free software now.

Why the "#$%$ would I ever want to paid for that stuff again?

The kicker, DRM is just the foot in the door for people who think they can create markets based on invisible lines, yah that worked great for that country that got bankrupt. Virtual goods are the gold for the fool.

Work creates wealth, real work, if you don't sweat you didn't work.
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ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:29am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
"It's my guess that there are at least three major aspects to whether or not someone will attempt to find an illegitimate copy of something: 1) their interest level 2) their technical ability and 3) their fear of getting caught."

Yeah, but only Two is related to DRM, and once it's broken the 'technical ability' required is near zero.
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senshikaze (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:33am

Re: Re:
its cool.
i have 6,495,884,672 other reasons.
at least a few of those would make sense, even to yourself, im sure.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:34am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Totally irrelevant.

It didn't stop piracy. It stopped them. That's it's intent.

That is the point of DRM. Not some fantastical ideal of an un-hackable barrier that you guys seem to need to cling to in order to rail against it.

DRM is created by coders. Developers. People who by nature have an innate understanding that if it can be coded, it can be hacked. They are not blind to this. The payoff is that it does what it was intended to do. Stop the people who would normally *not* be pirating.
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Vincent Clement, 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:35am

Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Technically speaking, the DRM did not stop people from pirating. It stopped them from using their computer.
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Hulser (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:42am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
You can only say the DRM stopped some piracy if you can show that more people purchased the game with DRM than would have without it - which is an unknowable statistic.

No, you can say that DRM stopped some piracy if you can show that DRM stopped some piracy. My point about the statement "DRM has never stopped piracy in any way" is that the "in any way" clause takes us out of the realm of what the net effect is of DRM or the theoretical sales figures without DRM. The statement is disproved by one single example of somebody not bypassing DRM.
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Fake Steve Ballmer, 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:49am

DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS!
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Hulser (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 9:57am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Yeah, but only Two is related to DRM

All three are related to DRM because the person wouldn't need to looked for a cracked version in the first place if there weren't DRM.

and once it's broken the 'technical ability' required is near zero.

I think you're overestimating the technical ability of the average computer user. I'm not talking about the hard core gamer that knows his way around every aspect of their computer. For the statement "DRM has never stopped piracy in any way" to be disproved, all you have to do is find someone that tried to make a copy of a computer program for their friend or relative, found out that it didn't work just by copying the CD, and then said, "Oh well, I guess that didn't work. Sorry."
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imnot a fish, 14 Dec 2009 @ 10:02am

Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Just the fact that you state mp3 and fm sound superior to satellite radio,means you lack the ability to compare.
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The Infamous Joe (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 10:10am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
I think the problem here is with the English language.

I read the statement "DRM has never prevented piracy." and think that if even one copy gets hacked and uploaded, DRM has failed to do its job.

Clearly, you are thinking that if even one user is thwarted by DRM, then it is successful.

I can't help but imagine that most, if not all, execs are pushing for DRM to prevent *even one copy* from being pirated, not from stopping your grandmother from making a copy for her bridge club. I could be wrong though. I base it on the fact that, due to software's digital (and thus, infinite) nature, if even one copy is pirated, then 1 million copies can be made, even by most "average" users. Therefore, one successful hack is just as bad as no DRM at all, right?

You are free to stick to your guns, obviously, but if you think about it objectively, you'll see that DRM has never once successfully prevented piracy.
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Fake Steve Ballmer's Runaway Dog, 14 Dec 2009 @ 10:16am

Re:
You talk about developers like they're some magical people, and I don't disagree. Yet it's quite possible that everyone who worked on the project has probably been fired.

It's just too bad all you're talent is half a world a way these days. If you want to fix it, you need a translator that understands Hindi, a PM, and a few analysts before you can start to fix it. Also, whose decision to offshore was that?

Tell me you at least bought a Ford that features Microsoft Sync® with your bonus, because that would make your father proud.
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Michael Long, 14 Dec 2009 @ 10:23am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Ditto. In most cases DRM is supposed to prevent what I call "casual copies."

Back in the day, people copied movies on VHS tapes and gave them away. Then the industry implemented MacroVision. Yes, you could buy a gimmick that let you still copy protected tapes... but the vast majority of people didn't, unauthorized copies dropped, and sales rose.

Same with door looks. Determined thieves will pick them, break them, or bypass them. But neighbors and others will be delivered from temptation.
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Fake Steve Ballmer, 14 Dec 2009 @ 10:39am

Re: Re:
How the hell did you get an (R) in your comment? Come on baby, please tell me!

As you probably know, the most important person is my wife, and she drives a Rover. Rover was divested from Ford and acquired by one of my largest India-based outsourcers, Tata. I am not claiming anything... But Dog, I'm just saying that I was real impressed with what they were able to do in bringing Vista to market.
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ethorad (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 10:59am

Re: Re: Re:
using alt+0174 probably: �

(character map is your friend - assuming you're on windows, no idea what the mac/*nix equivalent is)
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ethorad (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 11:03am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
dammit ... that worked fine in the preview honest! Ah well, attempt 2 is html formatting and & reg; (without the space after &): �
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ethorad (profile), 14 Dec 2009 @ 11:04am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Hmmm ... as did that :(

I give up!
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2009 @ 11:24am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
��
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2009 @ 11:27am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
®®☺
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2009 @ 12:44pm

Documents? Bah! Who wants to be locked out of their car?
I'm waiting for the Tata-built Vista that locks you out of your car.

Surely, it will be powered by Microsoft® Air(SM)-- which is the code name for the upcoming Vaporware™ Services Stack available on the Azure Cloud Platform.

All this will be delivered on via Microsoft Sync® Services. (Referred to as MSSSS or ironically as "M$$$$")

I can hardly wait.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2009 @ 1:27pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Technically, it got them to buy a valid license.

In other words.....it worked as intended.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2009 @ 1:44pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Name an instance?
Easy.

Except you failed to do so. Windows is still "pirated".
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2009 @ 1:50pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Well, the overall question is whether "DRM has never stopped piracy in any way",

No, I don't know where you got that supposed quote, but Mike's challenge was to "name a situation where DRM has stopped something from being pirated." Big difference.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Dec 2009 @ 1:58pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
No, I don't know where you got that supposed quote,

Oops, never mind.
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Luci, 14 Dec 2009 @ 2:25pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: categorically discounting drm is stupid
Except... it didn't. DRM was supposed to stop the act of piracy. It did not. The software was still pirated. Whether or not they LATER purchased a valid license is irrelevant, since the act of infringement had already been committed. Buying a license does not erase the offense, and DRM did nothing to stop the piracy. All it did was break the user's equipment until they paid someone to fix it. Aren't you proud, now?
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Wolfy, 14 Dec 2009 @ 2:33pm

HDCP, DRM... I won't touch anything with them. Basically, it amounts to a Corp. entity putting (expensive) locks on YOUR equipment and media, and then making YOU pay for it.

The whole setup blows royally for the consumer.
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vastrightwing, 14 Dec 2009 @ 2:38pm

DRM is to force you to re-puchase content over and over
DRM is not about piracy. It's to force you to re-purchase your content in a different format. DVDs can be copied easily, but you can not easily convert encrypted content from one media type to another. Manufacturers have to license the DRM on each device platform in order to manufacture that device. So, no, it's not about piracy, it's to control the sales and manufacturing of all the media and devices the content will play on. In an ideal world, media companies would force manufacturers to DRM and protect the formats of everything from TVs, radio, and media streamers. They would not allow media to work in any format not approved by them. They would make money on licensing the format as well as forcing consumers to re-purchase content for each media. Go ahead, copy all you want. I bet copying is not the problem. Just make sure we get a license fee from each device you build and run software on.
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Ryan Diederich, 14 Dec 2009 @ 4:09pm

Re: DRM is to force you to re-puchase content over and over
If it isnt about piracy, then why does everything we hear about DRM nowadays center on piracy

"We need it or no one will buy it"

On the contrary, I will never, not ever, put money into something that I might have to buy again, no matter what form its in.

At least I know I can read a book I buy ten years from now, and that I dont have to buy it again and again. What a stupid idea.

The points on technologically savy people, they arent so rare anymore. It took me a week at the most to learn how to torrent, and Ive probably "stolen" upwards of $8,000 worth of software now. The catch is, I am poor, and never would have bought it in the first place, so is that really stealing?

DRM sucks, I feel bad for all the early adopters and people holding onto old equiptment, pay up or youre screwed
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Scott Spicer, 14 Dec 2009 @ 5:39pm

Re: Re: DRM is to force you to re-puchase content over and over
I agree whole-heartedly with this analysis. What's more, one of the major victories for "paid content" producers and distributors was the anti-circumvention protection of the Digital Millenium Protection Act (DMCA) of 1998.

DRM is not to stop piracy per say, it is first and foremost about ideologically protecting old school media business and content control models that favor the status quo, as much as it is to provide 1) some kind of roadblock to avoid easy access to content (similar to a lock on a home or car) and 2) to demonstrate that content industries are at least trying to make use of DRM to demonstrate that they have at least made an attempt to take advantage of the rights they lobbied hard for in the DMCA.

You see, the MPAA/RIAA/AP and all the rest learned something we consumers never have....if you don't fight for your rights, they WILL get extinguished.. And when I say this, I mean specifically the fact that most Americans could give two sh*ts about Fair Use, and they will only care when ACTA is implemented and they start losing Internet access or some other draconian measure (there I said it for Mike ;)) and then recognize they had certain rights (which ACTA would likely trump), but lost them over apathy.

Don't get me wrong, content creators deserved to be compensated and I don't have all the answers. I am not certain the old school media business models were necessarily appropriate or that the possibilities of the Internet could not be a boon for new business models.
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Scott Spicer, 14 Dec 2009 @ 5:58pm

Re: Re: Re: DRM is to force you to re-puchase content over and over
Just to be clear, my response is to vastrightwing, not Ryan. I don't agree with Ryan's stealing of $8,000 worth of software using a torrent, or anything he does with respect to piracy..This is just wrong, plain and simple..

Rather, I agree with the premise that vastrigthwing put forth that DRM is about controlling distribution on every media format, and perhaps trying to monetize this content in a new media environment (a la licensing fee's). Not to contradict myself, but the point of copyright law is to give this right to the copyright holders. My earlier post speaks to my concern that that there are arguably legal fair uses also legislated to consumers, such as time-shifting, and these blog copyright discourses have not centered around these legal fair uses.

Instead, it has been more in the realm of Ryan's "yea, I stole and it hasn't stopped me, so take that" b*llshit arguments. Please step up the discussion folks, there is a way to reclaim consumer rights without anarchism.
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Shakes Head, 14 Dec 2009 @ 6:02pm

Wow - talk about Lock-In
A Microsoft wet dream
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CAS, 14 Dec 2009 @ 8:36pm

Re: It's not a Bug, it's a Feature
Wanna know what's even worse? My cousin works for Microsoft here in Taiwan and he's had to deal with a lot of angry customers.

He asked headquarters what his clients should do and the response was upgrade to Office 2010.

Brilliant.
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