DRM is watching you

"Would you read a DRM version of Voltaire plays ?"

Digital Rights Management (generally abbreviated to DRM) is any of several technologies used by publishers (or copyright owners) to control access to and usage of digital data (such as software, music, movies) and hardware, handling usage restrictions associated with a specific instance of a digital work. The term often is confused with copy protection and technical protection measures (TPM). These two terms refer to technologies that control or restrict the use and access of digital media content on electronic devices with such technologies installed, acting as components of a DRM design.


Several big brands start to use DRM on digital and non digital devices.
Since March, Sony BMG has been testing out a rollout of content-enhanced copy-protected CDs with at least 10 commercial titles released so far and over 1 million of these discs sold in total. These discs feature a protection known as "sterile burning" developed by First4Internet, in which the original disc allows up to three copies to be made. However the recorded discs cannot be copied as these are also infected with DRM along with PC playable tracks in DRM protected Windows Media Audio files.


DRM also concerns mp3’s which could stop peer to peer traffic. Thomson will soon propose a DRM version of mp3. This can be seen as a revolution in the world of music because it is the first efficient way for music companies to have their money back.


Concerning the digital media players, Microsoft has just released a new DRM version of Windows media player. It is based on the principle of EULA (End User Licence Agreement). All the files can be transfered on the web without any problem. They can be exchanged, published etc. But those files cannot be read without a licence previsously paid on a website which trace all those files.

The Windows Media Player DRM system

The problem is that DRM totally disrespects the principle of freedom on the web. More and more communities get organized to face this phenomenon.

"Would you buy a DRM version of music parts ?"

Furthermore, DRM contents are sometimes so protected that the user needs a special player to read it. Old cd players can be trashed. Where will it stop ?



More and more web pirats start to find out how to disactivate DRM on contents. They are incitated to be more and more efficient to break security.

DRM is contested by a lot of people

DRM also endangers privacy because record houses can trace you as soon as you accept the terms and conditions (EULA)