DRM Questions and Answers
Question: What Is ‘DRM’?
Answer: DRM, short for “Digital Rights Management”, is anti-piracy technology. DRM is used by digital copyright owners to control who gets to access and copy their work. In particular, DRM gives programmers, musicians and movie artists some ability to remote control how people can install, listen to, view, and duplicate digital files. In recent DRM news, Amazon remotely accessed thousands of readers’ Kindle machines, and deleted books without the user’s permission.
Although DRM is a broad term describing many different technical formats, it always involves some form of digital padlock on the file. These padlocks are called “licensed encryption keys” that prevent just anyone from using or copying the file. People who pay for these licensed encryption keys are given the unlock codes to use the file for themselves, but are usually prevented from then sharing that file with other people.
Q2: Why Is DRM So Controversial?
Ans: because the programmer or artist is deciding how and when you can use their files, it is arguable that you do not really own the file after you buy it. As paying consumers learn more about DRM technology and civil liberties, many of them become outraged that they no longer “own” their music, movies, or software. Yet at the same time, how do programmers and artists reasonably get paid for every copy of their work? The answer, like any digital copyright issue, is unclear at best. For example, the recent Kindle reader DRM controversy has outraged users across the globe. drm tips: remove drm ebook. Imagine their surprise when they opened their Kindle readers, only to discover that Amazon had remotely deleted ebooks without the owner’s permission.
Q3: So, How Does DRM Work, Exactly?
Ans: although DRM does come in many different forms, it usually has four common stages: packaging, distribution, license-serving, and license acquisition.
1. Packaging is when DRM encryption keys are built right into the software, the music file, or the movie file.
2. Distribution is when DRM-encrypted files are delivered to the customers. This is usually through web server downloads, CD’s/DVD’s, or via files emailed to the customers.
3. License Serving is where specialized servers authenticate legitimate users through an Internet connection, and allow them to access the DRM files. DRM tips: free drm removal software. Simultaneously, license servers lock up the files when illegitimate users try to open or copy the files.
4. License Acquisition is where legitimate customers acquire their encryption keys so they can unlock their files.
Q4: What Online Music Stores Sell DRM-Free Songs?
Ans: Puretracks.com: is currently the only legitimate online music store that sells music with DRM locks.