DRM technology and policy

[Andreas Bogk]

"John S. Denker" <jsd at monmouth.com> writes:

> Techniques that don't protect a song might work just
> fine to protect computer programs including games.

I've spent the better part of my youth cracking computer game copy
protection schemes.  Let me tell you: bits are bits, and once you can
lay your hands on the bits, you can copy them.  The semantics of the
bits don't make a difference at all.

The only thing you *can* do is taking away control over the computer
from the user.  This is not only hard to do, but also something I
fundamentally oppose: it's *my* computer with *my* data on it, so *I*
should be the ultimate authority over what is going on on my computer.

If that breaks a business model that was invented right with the
printing press, tough luck.  Making a copy of something is no longer a
scarce resource.  DRM is nothing but a try to keep it scarce for a
little longer.

Andreas

-- 
"In my eyes it is never a crime to steal knowledge. It is a good
theft. The pirate of knowledge is a good pirate."
                                                       (Michel Serres)

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