Comments on: Is DRM all or nothing? (updated) http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/01/10/is-drm-all-or-nothing/ ... at the intersection of media, technology, business and the web Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:19:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Mathew http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/01/10/is-drm-all-or-nothing/#comment-115 Mathew Wed, 11 Jan 2006 02:11:43 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/index.php/2006/01/10/is-drm-all-or-nothing/#comment-115 I apologize if I mis-characterized your argument, David. For what it's worth, I just want to say that I agree we need a frank and open discussion about different kinds of DRM, or how to strike a balance between the need for some kind of copyright protection and the need for an open Internet, and fair use. And I think it's obvious that Lloyd wants that too. I'm not sure there's much point in "retiring to the sidelines to wave a "DRM is evil" sign" as one person commented on Lloyd's post. That's all I was trying to say. I apologize if I mis-characterized your argument, David. For what
it’s worth, I just want to say that I agree we need a frank and open
discussion about different kinds of DRM, or how to strike a balance
between the need for some kind of copyright protection and the need
for an open Internet, and fair use. And I think it’s obvious that
Lloyd wants that too. I’m not sure there’s much point in “retiring to
the sidelines to wave a “DRM is evil” sign” as one person commented on
Lloyd’s post. That’s all I was trying to say.

]]> By: David Smith http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/01/10/is-drm-all-or-nothing/#comment-114 David Smith Wed, 11 Jan 2006 01:35:02 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/index.php/2006/01/10/is-drm-all-or-nothing/#comment-114 Mathew, I'm not saying that we should restrict the debate to whether or not we should have DRM. I <em>am</em> saying that what is happening - the rolling out of (incompatible) DRM mechanisms -- is happening without appropriate public engagement. Given the importance of DRM and its potential side-effects (in her post, Shelley touches on a number of areas of possible concern), the debate must happen -- and must include thoughtful, open discussion as to whether DRM is a good thing at all. Talking with, or listening to, business leaders and entrepreneurs who are building their companies on the net, I am struck by how many are questioning traditional business models and, in doing so, are also questioning the role and place of DRM. Such questioning needs to be communicated more widely within our societies. I note that Lloyd Shepherd updated his original post and has concluded that, thus far, no-one has come forward to answer his original questions: 'what are the best implementations of DRM out there, which balance the needs of the provider and the consumer without getting in the way of either? Does such a thing exist?'. Lloyd has concluded: 'It would appear that the answer to my original question is a resounding “noâ€? from this little survey'. I liked Tom Loosemore's comment (number 16) on Lloyd's posting, and I think Lee Bryant made two valuable comments there, too. Mathew, I’m not saying that we should restrict the debate to whether or not we should have DRM. I am saying that what is happening - the rolling out of (incompatible) DRM mechanisms — is happening without appropriate public engagement. Given the importance of DRM and its potential side-effects (in her post, Shelley touches on a number of areas of possible concern), the debate must happen — and must include thoughtful, open discussion as to whether DRM is a good thing at all. Talking with, or listening to, business leaders and entrepreneurs who are building their companies on the net, I am struck by how many are questioning traditional business models and, in doing so, are also questioning the role and place of DRM. Such questioning needs to be communicated more widely within our societies.

I note that Lloyd Shepherd updated his original post and has concluded that, thus far, no-one has come forward to answer his original questions: ‘what are the best implementations of DRM out there, which balance the needs of the provider and the consumer without getting in the way of either? Does such a thing exist?’. Lloyd has concluded: ‘It would appear that the answer to my original question is a resounding “noâ€? from this little survey’.

I liked Tom Loosemore’s comment (number 16) on Lloyd’s posting, and I think Lee Bryant made two valuable comments there, too.

]]> By: Stuart MacDonald http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/01/10/is-drm-all-or-nothing/#comment-113 Stuart MacDonald Tue, 10 Jan 2006 22:09:44 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/index.php/2006/01/10/is-drm-all-or-nothing/#comment-113 Good piece on globe.com, Mathew, and I like the "column in progress" thing. Neat idea. Do you do that all the time? I've said my piece on DRM -- I don't know enough about copyright to have an informed position other than a broad belief that intellectual property should be protected, and that from a consumer perspective it's all about choice, easy, value and legal. On Apple repeating their own history: really interesting. Again, I think that they are doing choice, easy, value and legal so well (though not perfectly, I know) that at this point that it really doesn't matter. But isn't it so that, eventually, all the players here will just have to stop with the "mine's bigger than yours" fun and play nice in the standards sandbox? It sure looks that way to me... - Stuart Good piece on globe.com, Mathew, and I like the “column in progress” thing. Neat idea. Do you do that all the time?

I’ve said my piece on DRM — I don’t know enough about copyright to have an informed position other than a broad belief that intellectual property should be protected, and that from a consumer perspective it’s all about choice, easy, value and legal.

On Apple repeating their own history: really interesting. Again, I think that they are doing choice, easy, value and legal so well (though not perfectly, I know) that at this point that it really doesn’t matter. But isn’t it so that, eventually, all the players here will just have to stop with the “mine’s bigger than yours” fun and play nice in the standards sandbox? It sure looks that way to me…

- Stuart

]]> By: Mathew http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/01/10/is-drm-all-or-nothing/#comment-112 Mathew Tue, 10 Jan 2006 21:54:25 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/index.php/2006/01/10/is-drm-all-or-nothing/#comment-112 I totally agree, Shelley. And yes, I did mean Doc instead of Dave -- a slip of the typewriter, I'm afraid. I'm not sure who would be more offended by the comparison :-) I totally agree, Shelley. And yes, I did mean Doc instead of Dave –
a slip of the typewriter, I’m afraid. I’m not sure who would be more offended by the comparison :-)

]]> By: Shelley http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2006/01/10/is-drm-all-or-nothing/#comment-111 Shelley Tue, 10 Jan 2006 21:30:16 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/index.php/2006/01/10/is-drm-all-or-nothing/#comment-111 Well, we're seeing what Google is releasing, and I think we should consider having input into DRMs rather than ignoring them until they 'go away'. BTW, did you mean Doc Searls instead of Dave Winer? Well, we’re seeing what Google is releasing, and I think we should consider having input into DRMs rather than ignoring them until they ‘go away’.

BTW, did you mean Doc Searls instead of Dave Winer?

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