Gerry sends along this link to a straightfoward guide on digital rights management for non-technical readers. The guide is grounded in good common sense and its understanding of the problem is precise: The aspect of the Internet that most bothers content companies is an aspect that is central to its design. In effect, it is exceedingly difficult to craft a law or regulation that categorically outlaws peer-to-peer file sharing without, in doing so, outlawing the Internet itself." Exactly. The requirements described by the authors are sensible: content owners need a way to deter widespread commercial reproduction of their work and varying business models, technology designers need a way to make a wide range of non-infringing products, and consumers need a system that respects their fair use and other rights and which provides access to a wide range of works, including public domain works. 42 page PDF download, but it's a quick read.
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