Digital Rights Management: Impossible or Improbable

What role does digital rights management play in our society?

            According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, almost 89 percent of households in the country own at least one personal computer, nearly 50 percent of which have high speed Internet.  This means that about 140 million people in the country have access to websites and software that provide illegal downloads, whether it is music, movies, or any other form of entertainment. The purpose of Digital Rights Management (DMR) is to create a “digital lock” on these files, just as people lock up their tangible belongings - to keep out those who want to steal them.  It is very clear how this task is extremely difficult and requires tons of time and effort to halt. On a larger scale, DRM’s failure is indirectly responsible for decreases or changes in the value of the music industry itself, as well as directly responsible for the falls of sales such as compact disks.

How does Digital Rights Management fight copyright issues?

            For starters, DMR supporters need to overcome obstacles such as CD burners, illegal websites, and peer-to-peer sites such as Bearshare.  One of the strongest tactics in use by the government to protect copyright laws is the installation of a spyware-like software in new CDs, which is nearly impossible to remove from your computer.  The software prevents the files on the disk from being copied, ultimately preventing the CD’s owner from illegally distributing its content.  There are lots of other methods and investigations that take place on a day-to-day basis, but we are far from an honest crowd of consumers.

Does Digital Rights Management affect you personally?

            DRM is responsible for protecting the rights of the music and the artist.  This means that unless you are an artist or a downloader of illegal music content, you will not be personally, directly affected.  However, for those of you who are illegally downloading, the effects may be more serious than you think.  Recently, a student at Boston University was investigated and charged with violating copy right laws via illegal music downloads, and was charged a 670 thousand dollar fine. There are tons of other repercussions that may occur due to illegal activity, making it simply not worth saving your 99 cents.