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Personally, I view DRM for streaming different than DRM for purchased content. For streaming, DRM is to prevent the user from essentially archiving the catalog,

Personally, I view DRM for streaming different than DRM for purchased content. For streaming, DRM is to prevent the user from essentially archiving the catalog, which its fine by me. But DRM for purchased / non-subscription content isn't something I support. There have only been a few times when I've purchased a book or audiobook with DRM. Removing that DRM was trivial with the right tools. Basically, DRM sucks, but I'm willing to forgive it for streaming content, since you're paying for access to a catalog and not a specific product.

shmerl 7y ago
Firstly, streaming doesn't need to be equivalent to renting. That's a wrong notion. For example Bandcamp allows you to buy music and download DRM-free copy, but you can as well stream it from their site for convenience. Secondly, even if you can say, renting has value if you rent the same thing for lower price than buying, it's only reasonable if you still have the option to buy the same thing (DRM-free). But it becomes a major problem, when someone only provides renting of digital goods and you can't buy them. In such case DRM on streaming isn't any better. I.e. for example Google Stadia or Netflix exclusives would be such example.
- stevewillows 7y ago
  Streaming definitely isn't renting, though. For an analog, it'd be like a video rental shop saying 'rent all you want for $11 per month'. Streaming services have released physical copies of their series. I doubt they've done it for lesser properties, but the main ones are out there. But as for DRM, I view it in the same way we didn't technically own DVDs [1]. We purchased access to the film, but not the film itself -- except now its done with far more complex methods that change every few years. > When consumers buy a DVD or Blu-ray disc, they are not purchasing the motion picture itself, rather they are purchasing access to the motion picture which affords only the right to access the work according to the format’s particular specifications (i.e., through the use of a DVD player), or the Blu-ray Disc format specifications (i.e., through the use of a Blu-ray format player). Consumers are able to purchase the copy at its retail price because it is distributed on a specific medium that will play back on only a licensed player. In prior exemption proceedings, the Register and Librarian have recognized that there is no unqualified right to access a work on a particular device. (pg 4 - 5) The benefit of physical media is that you'll pretty much always have access to it so long as you have a method to consume it. I agree that DRM isn't good, but I don't see this problem as anything new -- just the next step for the content manager's control over their owned content. Sadly, it's the consumer that loses.. but that's also not new. The only difference between the license for DVDs and bluray vs DRM is that DRM is enforceable, typically by time. None of this speaks to DRM in gaming. Of all forms of entertainment, I think the DRM there has the greatest consequence to the consumer -- but I'm also not as familiar with that market. [1] https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2015/comments-032715/class%208/DVDCCA_and_AACS_LA_class08_1201_2014.pdf https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2015/comments-032715/class%20...
  - shmerl 7y ago
    > Streaming definitely isn't renting, though. Something like Netflix is surely intended as digital renting. I.e. you can rent the entire catalog, for some period of time. When you stop your continuous payments, you can't use it anymore.

shmerl 7y ago

Firstly, streaming doesn't need to be equivalent to renting. That's a wrong notion. For example Bandcamp allows you to buy music and download DRM-free copy, but you can as well stream it from their site for convenience. Secondly, even if you can say, renting has value if you rent the same thing for lower price than buying, it's only reasonable if you still have the option to buy the same thing (DRM-free). But it becomes a major problem, when someone only provides renting of digital goods and you can't buy them. In such case DRM on streaming isn't any better. I.e. for example Google Stadia or Netflix exclusives would be such example.

stevewillows 7y ago
Streaming definitely isn't renting, though. For an analog, it'd be like a video rental shop saying 'rent all you want for $11 per month'. Streaming services have released physical copies of their series. I doubt they've done it for lesser properties, but the main ones are out there. But as for DRM, I view it in the same way we didn't technically own DVDs [1]. We purchased access to the film, but not the film itself -- except now its done with far more complex methods that change every few years. > When consumers buy a DVD or Blu-ray disc, they are not purchasing the motion picture itself, rather they are purchasing access to the motion picture which affords only the right to access the work according to the format’s particular specifications (i.e., through the use of a DVD player), or the Blu-ray Disc format specifications (i.e., through the use of a Blu-ray format player). Consumers are able to purchase the copy at its retail price because it is distributed on a specific medium that will play back on only a licensed player. In prior exemption proceedings, the Register and Librarian have recognized that there is no unqualified right to access a work on a particular device. (pg 4 - 5) The benefit of physical media is that you'll pretty much always have access to it so long as you have a method to consume it. I agree that DRM isn't good, but I don't see this problem as anything new -- just the next step for the content manager's control over their owned content. Sadly, it's the consumer that loses.. but that's also not new. The only difference between the license for DVDs and bluray vs DRM is that DRM is enforceable, typically by time. None of this speaks to DRM in gaming. Of all forms of entertainment, I think the DRM there has the greatest consequence to the consumer -- but I'm also not as familiar with that market. [1] https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2015/comments-032715/class%208/DVDCCA_and_AACS_LA_class08_1201_2014.pdf https://www.copyright.gov/1201/2015/comments-032715/class%20...
- shmerl 7y ago
  > Streaming definitely isn't renting, though. Something like Netflix is surely intended as digital renting. I.e. you can rent the entire catalog, for some period of time. When you stop your continuous payments, you can't use it anymore.