Microsoft Launches New DRM, Bloggers Up In Arms
Much to the chagrin of digital rights activists and critics, Microsoft has furthered its Digital Rights Management endeavors. I will side with the critics on this one, and I am a fan of Microsoft. DRM is the biggest roadblock presented in the continuing proliferation of digital media. And, it is their own fault.
People are going to steal it whether it is locked down or not. Crooks will always find a way to beat the system and locks only keep honest people out. If you make the doorknob too confusing and difficult to turn, paying customers may not bother.
I think that DRM will ultimately limit the growth of digital media distribution as the average user will will either get confused or irritated at the growing complexity and limitations of media that they feel they "own". Either reaction will limit overall revenue for these companies because people will either stick with conventional media forms or not bother with it all.
What are they afraid of? Napster was seen as the biggest threat to record companies ever. But, in the end, media distributors have done a great job of capitalizing on the technology made popular by Napster. Many people had never heard of an MP3 before that. Now, MP3 is a household name.
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