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> Since nobody has come up with a DRM system that doesn't depend on a central service that can go away or change its terms, all DRM-based content is effectively
by azakai 13y ago
> Since nobody has come up with a DRM system that doesn't depend on a central service that can go away or change its terms, all DRM-based content is effectively rented.
If we consider anything that works to prevent media from being copied in violation of copyright, then there is one solution that does not have a central service, and is not rent-based: watermarking.
Every purchase is watermarked for the specific customer. If they give someone else a copy, it is detectable from who they received it, so legal action is possible. But fair use is never prevented, as copying is always technically possible.
(Yes, it is possible to remove watermarks, but it is also possible to get around DRM - all of these schemes are continuously escalating arms races.)
- acdha 13y agoWatermarking is a great idea and I would really like to see it replace DRM snake-oil but I think the real point was simply that nobody has successfully commercialized such a service. I think there's a need but it'd require deep pockets and good negotiators to get off the ground unless you had some sort of solid all-indie play
- ensignavenger 13y agoWhat happens if I sell the content, then the purchaser distributes it? Do I then get blamed for copyright infringement?
- azakai 13y agoIf you buy content for personal use, like you buy an episode of Game of Thrones, you aren't allowed to sell it to anyone. But you can copy it between your own devices as you see fit.
- ensignavenger 13y agoIf you can't sell it, it isn't yours- you don't own it. (At least, according to most definitions of ownership).
- throwawaykf02 13y agoAnother comment I made downthread might address this: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6495063 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6495063