Submission + - Ask Slashdot: Are there ANY good reasons for DRM? 1
centre21 writes: Having been on Slashdot for several years, I've seen a lot of articles concerning DRM. What's most interesting to me are the number of comments condemning DRM outright and calling for the abolishing DRM with all due prejudice.
So the question I have for the community is: is there ever a time when DRM is justified? My focus here is the aspect of how DRM protects the rights of content creators (aka, artists) and helps to prevent people freely distributing their works and with no compensation. How would those who are opposed to DRM ensure that artists will get just compensation for their works if there are no mechanisms to prevent someone from simply digitally copying a work (be it music, movie or book) and giving it away to anyone who wants it? Because, in my eyes, when people stop getting paid for what they do, they'll stop doing it. Many of my friends and family are in the arts, and let me assure you, one of the things they fear most isn't censorship, it's (in their words), "Some pimple-faced little dork who can't get a girlfriend freely distributing my stuff and eliminating my source of income." And I can see their point.
So I reiterate, to those who vehemently oppose DRM, is there EVER a time where DRM can be a force for good, or can they offer an alternative that would prevent the above from happening? And save the rhetoric, I'm looking for actual, thoughtful solutions, so put the soapboxes away, please.
So the question I have for the community is: is there ever a time when DRM is justified? My focus here is the aspect of how DRM protects the rights of content creators (aka, artists) and helps to prevent people freely distributing their works and with no compensation. How would those who are opposed to DRM ensure that artists will get just compensation for their works if there are no mechanisms to prevent someone from simply digitally copying a work (be it music, movie or book) and giving it away to anyone who wants it? Because, in my eyes, when people stop getting paid for what they do, they'll stop doing it. Many of my friends and family are in the arts, and let me assure you, one of the things they fear most isn't censorship, it's (in their words), "Some pimple-faced little dork who can't get a girlfriend freely distributing my stuff and eliminating my source of income." And I can see their point.
So I reiterate, to those who vehemently oppose DRM, is there EVER a time where DRM can be a force for good, or can they offer an alternative that would prevent the above from happening? And save the rhetoric, I'm looking for actual, thoughtful solutions, so put the soapboxes away, please.
