Open-source DRM may sound like a contradiction, but someone is trying it. Traditionally, DRM has been a technology that restricts freedom, rather than granting it.
Full story »Open-source DRM may sound like a contradiction, but someone is trying it. Traditionally, DRM has been a technology that restricts freedom, rather than granting it.
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lozz
15 years 25 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago
All DRM is evil
DRM is just as evil whether you call it proprietary, or "open source". M$ would be more than happy to call its DRM, "open source", if that would help move a few copies of its DRM-laden Vista that are gathering dust on reseller's shelves.
aboutblank
15 years 25 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago
DRM is not inherently evil.
DRM is not inherently evil. DRM as a concept is fine - as long as the user is in full control of the DRM system.
What you are probably thinking about is the more prevalent DRM institutions in which a third party (usually a powerful corporation) holds the keys to the user's DRM system and refuse to give up the control to the user.
lozz
15 years 25 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago
Please explain
Have you got any examples of non-evil DRM you would like to recommend.
aboutblank
15 years 24 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago
The act of applying DRM
The act of applying DRM mechanisms onto data isn't evil. The evil part is when DRM is applied to data and then the users of that data are prohibited to do what would normally be their their right - fair use rights to that data.
This Marlin DRM system could allow users to apply the DRM to their own work. It would start being evil if these DRM users shared their DRM work with others AND caused the others to be removed of their freedoms.
motters
15 years 24 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago
Unhelpful
I don't think it's useful to try to artificially insert a distinction between "lighter" and "more restrictive" DRM, and encouraging people to apply DRM to things they have written could be a dangerous and divisive game, seeking to break up communities rather than make them stronger.
Digital restrictions are an insult to freedom, and at this point I can't imagine any legitimate (i.e. inherently non-evil) way in which they could be used.