- Joined
- Aug 20, 2006
- Messages
- 13,000
This is not exactly a novel sentiment, but the idea has been revitalized by a recent story alleging Apple deleted multiple, legally purchased movies from an iTunes user’s library and offered nothing in return aside from an apology and two rental movie credits valued up to $5.99. While it was later deemed a miscommunication (the problem lied with licensing restrictions, as the user had moved to a completely different region), some insist that DRM is still at fault and should never be trusted.
My takeaway is that, if a seller of DRM'd digital media uses words like "purchase" and "buy," they have at a minimum an obligation to continue to provide additional downloads of that media, in perpetuity. Fine print aside, without that, people simply aren't getting what they think they're getting for their money, and words like "rent" and "borrow" are more appropriate. Of course, a company might not want to take on that burden. Or its contracts with content companies may not allow it to. There's a simple solution: Don't sell movies with DRM.
My takeaway is that, if a seller of DRM'd digital media uses words like "purchase" and "buy," they have at a minimum an obligation to continue to provide additional downloads of that media, in perpetuity. Fine print aside, without that, people simply aren't getting what they think they're getting for their money, and words like "rent" and "borrow" are more appropriate. Of course, a company might not want to take on that burden. Or its contracts with content companies may not allow it to. There's a simple solution: Don't sell movies with DRM.