A Working Economy Without DRM?

Tilted Equilibrium asks: "In a few weeks, our school will be hosting a panel on DRM with several respected individuals. In advance of the panel, I have been doing some research on the topic and thinking about it in my free time. In economics, we learn that the price of a product is determined essentially by supply and demand. Without a DRM in place, we are capable of making as many copies of a piece of content as we want and seeding it onto the net. How do you create a market for a product, and make money of a product that has a huge initial creative investment, but then no manufacturing cost, and is in infinite supply?"

Comments

Re:Why DRM is counter-productive

[Mr. Slippery]

Please accept my sincerest apologies for the inconvenience of not breaking the law.

Over the course of any given week, the average American breaks many laws. We all violate traffic laws. Anyone with an interesting sex life breaks outdated sodomy laws (laws against oral sex are still on the books in many states, though not enforced). No one can fully comply with tax laws, they're too complex for humans to understand. Everyone has at least one beer before they turn 21. And how many of these people who argue "follow the law!" about copyright, violated drug laws and puffed a joint during their college days?

"It's the law" is a poor argument to guide a person's behavior.

Is it inconvenient for you to wear pants?

Sometimes, yes, it is, and it's ridiculous that people will point guns at you and herd you into a cage for walking down the street in your natural state. Or for skinny-dipping, for crying out loud.

by all means go ahead amble into your local Best Buy with your dick swinging free and grab whichever stereo system grabs your eye.

Copying is not related to stealing. When I steal something of yours, I take it away from you. When I copy something, you still have it.