4 ms·

I take a very simple stance on this and all DRM-related matters: I buy something, I own it. I can install on 20 computers if I have that many. Play my music on

by tdavis 18y ago

I take a very simple stance on this and all DRM-related matters: I buy something, I own it. I can install on 20 computers if I have that many. Play my music on 10. Use the object I paid for without being connected to the Internet or any other nonsense. License key? Fine, whatever, not that it's really a deterrent. If I can't do that I download it at-will, for free, sans any sort of protection and the seller gets jack. A very simple system where (a) seller/creator doesn't do ridiculous bullshit to keep me from using their item and (b) I reward them with money.

there 18y ago
why do you think it's acceptable to pirate/"steal"/whatever that product for free instead of simply choosing not to purchase it? i can understand a person purchasing a real copy of a game and then downloading a pirated version that has the DRM removed, or someone buying a CD and then downloading the same album on waffles in a variety of formats simply because it's easier/faster. but if you don't like the DRM, wouldn't it make more sense to speak with your dollars and not purchase it? why do you feel justified in using what they created without any compensation?
- cturner 18y ago
  I don't know a single person who's actions reflect a genuine respect for the stupid world of software licensing. Your comment contains the sort of conflict I'm talking about. Why do you think it's acceptable not to? How is it that it is OK to do some things that displease the gods of protected content creation, yet still necessary to pay them certain forms of tribute? Why should people dance to the beat of a notion that is so obviously impractical? Should a couple of very specific business models be protected from natural progression of the digital revolution? Why should the onus be placed consumers to purchase things we clearly don't need to, and not on producers to create business models that actually make sense (e.g. steam, dongles, iphone store, support contracts, server-centric software)? What is it about your ethic that makes it something other than completely arbitrary?
- Raphael 18y ago
  Waffles?
- tdavis 18y ago
  why do you feel justified in using what they created without any compensation? Because if I'm basing not purchasing it off of DRM, chances are I like everything else about it and still want the product. Gotta get it somehow! Although I get your point, and concede that there probably isn't a significantly justifiable reason for pirating. Luckily, I've never really had to justify things to myself in terms of right/wrong so I don't suspect my strategy will change anytime soon.

by tdavis 18y ago

there 18y ago

why do you think it's acceptable to pirate/"steal"/whatever that product for free instead of simply choosing not to purchase it? i can understand a person purchasing a real copy of a game and then downloading a pirated version that has the DRM removed, or someone buying a CD and then downloading the same album on waffles in a variety of formats simply because it's easier/faster. but if you don't like the DRM, wouldn't it make more sense to speak with your dollars and not purchase it? why do you feel justified in using what they created without any compensation?

cturner 18y ago
I don't know a single person who's actions reflect a genuine respect for the stupid world of software licensing. Your comment contains the sort of conflict I'm talking about. Why do you think it's acceptable not to? How is it that it is OK to do some things that displease the gods of protected content creation, yet still necessary to pay them certain forms of tribute? Why should people dance to the beat of a notion that is so obviously impractical? Should a couple of very specific business models be protected from natural progression of the digital revolution? Why should the onus be placed consumers to purchase things we clearly don't need to, and not on producers to create business models that actually make sense (e.g. steam, dongles, iphone store, support contracts, server-centric software)? What is it about your ethic that makes it something other than completely arbitrary?
Raphael 18y ago
Waffles?
tdavis 18y ago
why do you feel justified in using what they created without any compensation? Because if I'm basing not purchasing it off of DRM, chances are I like everything else about it and still want the product. Gotta get it somehow! Although I get your point, and concede that there probably isn't a significantly justifiable reason for pirating. Luckily, I've never really had to justify things to myself in terms of right/wrong so I don't suspect my strategy will change anytime soon.