LenMiyata

Grumble Grumble Grumble

One of the fundamental issues with digital distribution is the one of Digital Rights Management, (or DRM for short), which introduces a whole new paradigm's in the way movies and videos are purchased.

When you purchase a Blu-Ray, DVD or CD disk, you have the defacto right to play the disk on any hardware player you own, or to take it with you, and play it on someone else's player to enjoy the media. With DRM protected downloads, your not purchasing the unconditional right to play the media. Instead, DRM downloads or closer to a rental service, which often have limitations on the number of times you can view the media, and what players your allowed to view it on.

The biggest limitation with DRM protected downloads is that they are usually limited to play on a single host. This also means that when you computer breaks down, or your digital signature credentials get lost or corrupted, your DRM collection (and all the money you spent to purchase it) are essentially gone, even if you have backups of your media files. Whats really needed is the means to transport (and transfer in an approved fashion) your digital credentials on a readily available security token (such as a smart cell phone perhaps?) which can then communicate with the media player for a onetime unlocking of the DRM protection.

As it is right now, DRM issues (which is also the reason why you can't record HDTV broadcasts on your DVD Burner Deck) are one of the major limitations, and has yet to be addressed by the industry. It may take a Government act (as Congress had to pass a special exception to the law to allow VHS recordings of TV programs) to clear up this mess... (grumble grumble grumble)

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