Day Against DRM

I’ve added a rather bold graphic to the sidebar today in hopes of spreading awareness regarding “digital rights management” and how it is a problem for music consumers.

Concise information ripped straight from stopDRMnow.org:

What Is DRM?

DRM stands for “Digital Restrictions Management,” though content providers will argue it stands for “Digital Rights Management.” DRM refers to computer technology, hardware or software based, that restricts what a consumer is allowed to do with a copyrighted work. If you’ve ever been annoyed that you cannot copy a CD, DVD, or other digital media, this is DRM at work. See also Wikipedia’s article on DRM.

Why Does DRM Exist?

DRM exists for the exclusive benefit of content producers and providers. Companies such as Disney, Sony, and Lion’s Gate argue that DRM is needed to prevent people from pirating music, movies, and other works on P2P networks or by other means. What they won’t tell you is that they are really trying to control who, what, when, where, and how you access your music and videos. For instance, when you purchase a song from Apple’s iTunes Music Store, you are purchasing a song that can only be played by media applications that support QuickTime or an Apple iPod. Suppose next year you want to buy a new portable music player? Instead of having choice, you must now buy another iPod if you expect to play music you’ve already purchased.

Why Should I Care?

Content producers and providers are erecting barriers that prevent legitimate consumers who purchased their materials legally from exercising fair use of copyright. See Video and Music for examples. Additionally, these barriers also prevent new companies from creating new and innovative products. Most importantly however, thanks to legislation passed by Congress, DRM is futher protected by laws which make it a crime for citizens to excercise their 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech!

Please support artists and labels who sell DRM-free digital music.