[David Braue]

Just when you thought it was safe to buy content online, another group of so-and-sos comes back to take yet another stab at introducing new DRM.

Unsurprisingly, Apple is not involved in the effort.

Surprisingly, it is not involved because the group hasn't yet bothered to approach it.

Is the DRM industry actually SCARED of Apple? Perhaps they were just trying to get everybody else onboard to try and force Steve's hand.

What do you think -- should / will Apple be involved?

[Anthony Caruana]

Just when you thought it was safe to buy content online, another group of so-and-sos comes back to take yet another stab at introducing new DRM.

Unsurprisingly, Apple is not involved in the effort.

Surprisingly, it is not involved because the group hasn't yet bothered to approach it.

Is the DRM industry actually SCARED of Apple? Perhaps they were just trying to get everybody else onboard to try and force Steve's hand.

What do you think -- should / will Apple be involved?

The problem with DRM is that the consumer and content provider come to the transaction from opposing points of view. Consumers reckon they're buying the right to play/watch content anywhere, anytime and on anything. Content providers have a somewhat narrower view of the transaction.

The only DRM that will work is one that lets consumers use content anywhere they like (that is, support format shifting with no limitations). Anything less will, inevitably, lead to consumers breaking the law (either intentionally or inadvertantly).

The DRM "silver bullet" will allow users to format shift to their heart's content but label purchased material so that it either can't be copied or it can be simply traced back to the source if it's shared in a manner that is outside the "rules".

[mickdevlin]

The problem with DRM is that the consumer and content provider come to the transaction from opposing points of view. Consumers reckon they're buying the right to play/watch content anywhere, anytime and on anything. Content providers have a somewhat narrower view of the transaction.

What someone needs to do is develop a media format so revolutionary that everyone migrates to it before it can be DRM'd.

I wonder when the executives will work out why they can't stop piracy?

[gazza]

An example of online content subject to DRM is the highly popular Spore discussed at length in these forums.

Spore allows you to install the game three times maximum, using the internet connection and inbuilt Sony DADC SecuROM technology in an attempt to circumvent piracy.  A fourth and subsequent install may be granted by Electronic Arts (the games publisher/distributor) by calling the hotline and undergoing an interview process!

With previous game releases, eg last year's "Bioshock," the SecuROM process has ultimately not succeeded, with pirate copies of the game available on P2P sites almost in parallel with the game's release time. 

One has to ask, with the negative feelings associated with SecuROM DRM, how many sales will EA miss out on, compared to how many pirate copies they will eliminate with it installed?

gazza

[mickdevlin]

An example of online content subject to DRM is the highly popular Spore discussed at length in these forums.

Spore allows you to install the game three times maximum, using the internet connection and inbuilt Sony DADC SecuROM technology in an attempt to circumvent piracy.  A fourth and subsequent install may be granted by Electronic Arts (the games publisher/distributor) by calling the hotline and undergoing an interview process!

I wonder how many customers they'll lose because a potential customer has dial-up and doesn't want to wait for hours? How many others will they lose when a user upgrades to a new machine or has to reinstall the OS to fix a problem (not necessarily Windows, either. It could be a dead HDD on a Mac)?

[mickdevlin]

Is the DRM industry actually SCARED of Apple? Perhaps they were just trying to get everybody else onboard to try and force Steve's hand.

This article from AppleInsider suggests that they are afraid of iTunes.