What is Digital Rights Management?

For those who don't know what Digital Rights Management is, it is a term that refers to access control technologies used by copyright holders to limit the use of digital media or devices. Digital Rights Management allows copyright owners to place limits on usage even after purchase. DRM is a topic of controversy since it alters a consumer's ability to access and use goods they purchase. It has an impact on fair and legal use as well as personal privacy.

The surveillance capabilities of DRM allows copyright holders to gather and analyze information about a user's listening habits. Even though you have paid for a song online copyright owners know how many times you've listened to that song, if you've copied it or attempted to copy it and more. How does that make the consumer feel? You've paid for the song. Does it matter how many times you listen to it? Do such actions violate fair usage rights. To many it depends on one's perspective. Although gathering of information can be viewed as nothing more than a marketing strategy to others it is an invasion of privacy.

DRM has also been a source of frustration since many of the music vendors have not been compatible with portable music players such as the Apple iPod. While many online music stores use DRM technology to restrict usage of music that has been purchased and downloaded online others are releasing more music without Digital Rights Management technology. How does DRM affect the individual consumer? Only the consumer can accurately answer that question.

I can only tell you how DRM has affected me as a consumer. I do not purchase and download music as often as I used to nor do members of my immediate family. I respect and value privacy as an individual and as a consumer. As an author of two books and the mother of sons who are struggling to succeed in the music industry I do understand the need for copyright protection. But as an individual and consumer I also understand the need for privacy and fair legal use. Digital Rights Management blurs the line of those rights.