What DRM is.

I've always known that I wanted to avoid Digital Restrictions Management technology, but it really wasn't until today that I realized consciously what DRM really represented.

Slashdot had an article today that describes the new 'features' of Windows Media Player 11. Said article links to another article at The Inquirer which describes the gradual removal of user permissions ( I won't say rights, because users have no 'rights' when DRM is involved) as 'turning the thumbscrews'.

That's the essence of what DRM really is. A torture device. When you acquire (not purchase -- you don't 'own' the content) a DRM-encumbered product or service, what you're really doing is strapping your fingers into a vice, and handing over control of *that* to the vendor, who is free to tighten it at any time. And then, they can always tear out your fingernails too. Sounds delicious.

Think I'm joking? See the above article: no more recorded TV shows after three days -- whether you've watched it or not. And remember when Apple reduced the amount of times you can burn a track to CD from ten times to seven? Another turn of the thumbscrews. Upgrade iTunes and the software erases your hard-purchased music collection? You can only restore it once. So what happens to you if it happens again? You go fuck off, apparently.

It is the nature of those with power over others to exercise that power, especially where money is concerned.

DRM is all about control. So is the Internet. But the 'net evolved with the notion of putting power in the hands of many, not in the hands of the privilaged few.