DRM is the software used to prevent people from copying music and other forms of
media. While it may occasionally prevent crimes, it causes far more
inconvenience for those who are trying to make legal use of songs they have
bought, makes customers feel like criminals and can even install software on
your computer - without you agreeing! - that creates vulnerabilities that can be
exploited by hackers.
Freeculture.org have started an internet pledge for people to submit their names
and swear never to buy CDs with DRM on them.
DRM isn't just built in the software, it also built into hardware.
One perfect example would be those programs that require a specialized
dongle.
If you do not have that dongle plug in, then the program will not run and/or
work.
Another problem is that each dongle is built for that specific program due to
a
product key ID that is built into the dongle as well into the program.
If the product key does not match and you still have the dongle plug in, the
program
will also not run and/or work.
A dongle is a special key where it's either plug into a serial or USB
port.
For the programs that use dongles, I don't think that is as much as a problem as
music and video pirating. Usually those dongle programs are expensive programs
that are usually used in a commerical setting like AutoCAD. The software can be
written off as expenses.
DRM won't professional pirates. They will find ways to bypass it. DRM will just
make life more difficult for average users. I never bought and never will buy
anything DRM. I won't give up my rights for those control maniacs.
If that means not buying any music, movies or software anymore so be it! I am
the only one who decides when, how and where to use the software/music/films I
bought.
If the employees of the shop I'm visiting treat me like a criminal I will buy
somewhere else or won't buy at all. It's the same with the entertaiment- and
software industry. If they treat me like that I won't make buisiness with them.
It's as simple as that.
DRM is the software used to prevent people from copying music and other forms of media. While it may occasionally prevent crimes, it causes far more inconvenience for those who are trying to make legal use of songs they have bought, makes customers feel like criminals and can even install software on your computer - without you agreeing! - that creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers.
Freeculture.org have started an internet pledge for people to submit their names and swear never to buy CDs with DRM on them.
For more information on DRM, Freeculture's Wiki
To 'sign' the pledge, go here.
DRM isn't just built in the software, it also built into hardware.
One perfect example would be those programs that require a specialized dongle.
If you do not have that dongle plug in, then the program will not run and/or work.
Another problem is that each dongle is built for that specific program due to a
product key ID that is built into the dongle as well into the program.
If the product key does not match and you still have the dongle plug in, the program
will also not run and/or work.
A dongle is a special key where it's either plug into a serial or USB
port.
Serial dongle
For the programs that use dongles, I don't think that is as much as a problem as music and video pirating. Usually those dongle programs are expensive programs that are usually used in a commerical setting like AutoCAD. The software can be written off as expenses.
DRM won't professional pirates. They will find ways to bypass it. DRM will just make life more difficult for average users. I never bought and never will buy anything DRM. I won't give up my rights for those control maniacs.
If that means not buying any music, movies or software anymore so be it! I am the only one who decides when, how and where to use the software/music/films I bought.
If the employees of the shop I'm visiting treat me like a criminal I will buy somewhere else or won't buy at all. It's the same with the entertaiment- and software industry. If they treat me like that I won't make buisiness with them. It's as simple as that.