Img credited to JustinJas
Ars Technica writes in NBC-Vista copy-protection snafu reminds us why DRM stinks
Handfuls of Windows Vista Media Center users found themselves blocked from making recordings of their favorite TV shows this week when a broadcast flag triggered the software’s built-in copy protection measures. The flag affected users trying to record prime-time NBC shows on Monday evening, using both over-the-air broadcasts and cable. Although the problem is being “looked into” by both NBC and Microsoft, the incident serves as another reminder that DRM gives content providers full control, even if by accident.
It’s not just TV shows. There’s discussion about the number of technical manuals that don’t appear as PDF. Publishers have to remember that someone is going to pirate their content, no matter what they do with it, so it’s not worthwhile punishing those of us who pay for content.
I don’t want to have to carry around this big thick “Beginning Mac OS X Programming” book but there are two reasons I do. One, because I have no choice due to the lack of PDF content (and there’s always the hope that knowledge will transfer via osmosis) and Two, because I need as much screen space as possible and keeping a doc open eats up a lot of screen space.
As a producer as well as a consumer, I’m not opposed to DRM. But DRM should be about keeping your stuff private and not punishing the paying customer. After you pay, restrictions should be decreased!