Slashdot Mirror
Fight DRM While There's Still Time
ageor writes "It seems (not only) to me that DRM is about far more than intellectual property. It's also about monopoly and freedom of choice. It's one of those cases where we, the consumers, must decide against accepting the new industry's rules, which care only about control and making money. The whole matter is very well put in DRM, Vista and your rights, where you can follow the subject as deeply as you like through the numerous relevant links."
In the case of DRM, theres one very strong way to fight it - with your wallet. Use alternatives where possible. Spread the word about products that contain oppressive DRM. Encourage others to do the same.
The article goes into arguments we've all read, and probably made before. The main point missing from this relatively well organized and civil rant is what to do about it. It's always easier to point out he problems than the answers.
How many DRM articles do we have to have on Slashdot? I mean I get it, I hate DRM just as much as the next guy and think it's ridiculous, but it seems like we are getting a new article on Slashdot about DRM everyday. The same type of comments are modded insightful every time to the point where they're no longer insightful.
Fair use is definitely not in the US Constitution, and I doubt it's in any others. It just gives the Congress the right to issue copyrights, patents, etc, for a "limited time". Unfortunately it does not specify any other limits on this power, nor does it spell out how long a "limited time" should be.
Congress has the power to make all fair use null and void, and to extend patents and copyrights to 3.2 billion centuries from the date of issue. That's legal.
The US economy was built on patent infringement, though. Once we "pirated" enough to get a leg up on the Europeans, we erected intellectual property walls to hold our advantage.
The US is now, intellectual property-wise, in the position of 19th century Europe. High legal barriers protecting old, wealthy, stagnant industries. China is in the position of the US in the 19th century--nominal legal barriers and lax enforcement. And unfortunately for us, the result will likely be the same.