Digital Rights Management (DRM) is an extremely ineffective way to combat piracy. DRM is added on to software in various ways to prevent people from using pirated software. While this works in theory, it completely fails in practice. Not only that, it hurts the legitimate consumer much, much more than the pirate.
Let me explain:
DRM is added on to software by the developer. This comes in many different forms: Key Codes, Limited Downloads, Always Online, etc. These measures make it impossible for anyone who illegally obtained the software from using it. This “improved functionality” may seem like a good way to deter people from illegally downloading software, but it completely fails.
Here’s why
There are online groups that dedicate their existence to not only leaking software before it’s released, but also uploading online for people to download. Another function of these groups is to modify these pieces of software so that DRM doesn’t work. Most of these groups are extremely good at what they do, and even better at eluding law enforcement. Pirates download exclusively from these groups because they’re: fast, reliable, efficient, and, most importantly, free.
Because of the existence of these groups, DRM does absolutely nothing to stop the pirates. The only person who will ever get to experience the wonderful pleasure of always having to connect to the internet, or having to manage and keep track of key-codes is the consumer. The person who has paid for the product is the only person who gets to deal with the restrictions on the software that were designed for pirates.
Ironically, the only way to escape the clutches of DRM is to - get ready for this - pirate the software. DRM essentially causes people to not want to buy the product, but rather, illegally download the software so that they don’t have to deal with DRM.
The entire idea of DRM is completely flawed as it not only punishes the customer, but also gives him a want to pirate the software.
My next post will talk about how to successfully combat piracy without hurting the consumer.
Hope you learned something!
Cheers.
Let me explain:
DRM is added on to software by the developer. This comes in many different forms: Key Codes, Limited Downloads, Always Online, etc. These measures make it impossible for anyone who illegally obtained the software from using it. This “improved functionality” may seem like a good way to deter people from illegally downloading software, but it completely fails.
Here’s why
There are online groups that dedicate their existence to not only leaking software before it’s released, but also uploading online for people to download. Another function of these groups is to modify these pieces of software so that DRM doesn’t work. Most of these groups are extremely good at what they do, and even better at eluding law enforcement. Pirates download exclusively from these groups because they’re: fast, reliable, efficient, and, most importantly, free.
Because of the existence of these groups, DRM does absolutely nothing to stop the pirates. The only person who will ever get to experience the wonderful pleasure of always having to connect to the internet, or having to manage and keep track of key-codes is the consumer. The person who has paid for the product is the only person who gets to deal with the restrictions on the software that were designed for pirates.
Ironically, the only way to escape the clutches of DRM is to - get ready for this - pirate the software. DRM essentially causes people to not want to buy the product, but rather, illegally download the software so that they don’t have to deal with DRM.
The entire idea of DRM is completely flawed as it not only punishes the customer, but also gives him a want to pirate the software.
My next post will talk about how to successfully combat piracy without hurting the consumer.
Hope you learned something!
Cheers.
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