DRM is Digital Rights Management, a generic term that is used by companies to control and limit the usage of digital content and devices. This includes film, video, music and more recently ereaders. As an Amazon Kindle owner or owner of another ereader device, you know that there are limitations to copying, printing and sharing of ebooks. It is a very controversial topic because it affects consumers, authors, and publishers alike, although from different perspectives. Consumers generally feel as though they are restricted, but on the other hand, authors and publishers feel it to be a necessity to protect the work.
Here’s why DRM doesn’t work:
• The encryption key for a book is hidden from the user, but it is easily available to the application. DRM schemes have been easily broken by viewing how the reader application works, and figuring out where it hides the key. Let’s be honest, all DRM schemes pertaining to ebooks have been hacked, and Apple’s new iBooks Store for the iPad isn’t going to be any different.
• DRM makes it harder on the user because of the extra layer between the ebook and the actual ereader. For example, if you own a Sony reader, you have to install an Adobe app. In order to do this you have to register at the Adobe home page, do the confirmation email song and dance and register your computer and ereader with Adobe’s servers. If you own a Mac, it’s a whole different hassle.
• The geeks mock DRM with a chuckle or really hate it. Why would a company want to commit business suicide by upsetting its biggest market that purchases the gadget?
• DRM costs the company money because the company has to set up an infrastructure, or partner with another company to take care of the DRM side of the business, thus making ebooks more expensive. Amazon, Apple, and Barnes & Noble have their own DRM department, and companies like Sony partnered with Adobe.
Ethical consumers would benefit from the removal of DRM, so they could easily move their ebooks from one device to another. The truth is thieves will continue to figure out how to steal products or services. So is it really worth companies to spend thousands of dollars each year to keep a hold on DRM? Probably not, and it will be interesting to see how this topic evolves in the ereader realm.
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The Ugly World of DRM and Ebook Readers
by TravisVS on March 3, 2010
DRM is Digital Rights Management, a generic term that is used by companies to control and limit the usage of digital content and devices. This includes film, video, music and more recently ereaders. As an Amazon Kindle owner or owner of another ereader device, you know that there are limitations to copying, printing and sharing of ebooks. It is a very controversial topic because it affects consumers, authors, and publishers alike, although from different perspectives. Consumers generally feel as though they are restricted, but on the other hand, authors and publishers feel it to be a necessity to protect the work.
Here’s why DRM doesn’t work:
• The encryption key for a book is hidden from the user, but it is easily available to the application. DRM schemes have been easily broken by viewing how the reader application works, and figuring out where it hides the key. Let’s be honest, all DRM schemes pertaining to ebooks have been hacked, and Apple’s new iBooks Store for the iPad isn’t going to be any different.
• DRM makes it harder on the user because of the extra layer between the ebook and the actual ereader. For example, if you own a Sony reader, you have to install an Adobe app. In order to do this you have to register at the Adobe home page, do the confirmation email song and dance and register your computer and ereader with Adobe’s servers. If you own a Mac, it’s a whole different hassle.
• The geeks mock DRM with a chuckle or really hate it. Why would a company want to commit business suicide by upsetting its biggest market that purchases the gadget?
• DRM costs the company money because the company has to set up an infrastructure, or partner with another company to take care of the DRM side of the business, thus making ebooks more expensive. Amazon, Apple, and Barnes & Noble have their own DRM department, and companies like Sony partnered with Adobe.
Ethical consumers would benefit from the removal of DRM, so they could easily move their ebooks from one device to another. The truth is thieves will continue to figure out how to steal products or services. So is it really worth companies to spend thousands of dollars each year to keep a hold on DRM? Probably not, and it will be interesting to see how this topic evolves in the ereader realm.
Related Posts: