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First signs of how Mozilla implements DRM, continued signs of how Free Software benefits all its users

Posted on 2014-10-25 by J.B. Nicholson

Today I came across a report in Trisquel GNU/Linux’s issue tracker describing a new bug in Mozilla Firefox which, Trisquel developer Rubén Rodríguez Pérez says “allows Mozilla to install any binary into the browser, through a dedicated system of updates”. … Continue reading →

Posted in Free Software, Technical

DRM is never justifiable

Posted on 2014-09-21 by J.B. Nicholson

I don’t agree with any form of DRM (Digital Restrictions Management) being “justifiable” for some forms of media but not audio (presumably because consumers have been acclimated to DRM-freedom for audio). A series of technocratic explanations won’t justify rejecting Apple’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Free Software

How damaging is DRM?

Posted on 2012-04-04 by J.B. Nicholson

Máirín Duffy recently won a Nook Tablet device in a contest. Her difficulty working within the restrictions of modern-day e-books are telling and interesting reading. Do what the ads for reading devices never tell you to do: Consider what freedoms … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Citizen, Free Software, Politicos

“Lending” e-books is a DRM scam: More control for publishers means less freedom for readers

Posted on 2011-11-03 by J.B. Nicholson

The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon.com is starting a digital book lending service; readers will be able to download a copy of a book and keep it on their reading device for as long as they want before “returning” … Continue reading →

Posted in Free Software, Politicos

Wal-Mart closes their DRM-riddled music store: paying for temporary music?

Posted on 2011-08-11 by J.B. Nicholson

Ars Technica reports that on August 28, 2011 Wal-Mart will close its online music store where Wal-Mart sold many DRM-encumbered music tracks. DRM is properly defined as “Digital Restrictions Management” because of its effect on the user, as you’ll see. … Continue reading →

Posted in Free Software

Today’s DRM excuses can be tomorrow’s DRM nightmares

Posted on 2010-06-02 by J.B. Nicholson

Engadget reports that Apple Computer chief Steve Jobs recently spoke about DRM (digital restrictions management): Q: I bought the movie Up on DVD, it had a digital download. I put it on my iPad. I hooked up my VGA adapter … Continue reading →

Posted in Free Software

Orwellian control over users is the reason DRM exists

Posted on 2009-07-19 by J.B. Nicholson

Summary Recently Amazon Kindle users who purchased copies of George Orwell’s 1984 or Animal Farm lost those novels when the publisher changed their mind about publishing electronic copies via Amazon’s portable reading device known as the “Kindle” (more deservedly known … Continue reading →

Posted in Free Software

Apple DRM-free?

Posted on 2009-03-20 by J.B. Nicholson

Cory Doctorow is an award-winning author of many books. He simultaneously distributes his work online at no charge and commercially through traditional book vendors. He also knows what DRM means for the reader/listener. Now he’s up for two Hugo awards, … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Citizen

You always lose with DRM

Posted on 2009-02-28 by J.B. Nicholson

James Boyle, law professor and author of “The Public Domain: Enclosing the Commons of the Mind“, recently wrote about his mixed feelings concerning the release of his book for the Amazon Kindle, a portable proprietary electronic device for reading texts. … Continue reading →

Posted in Politicos

iTunes losing DRM is exception to the rule at Apple

Posted on 2009-01-11 by J.B. Nicholson

Apple says they’ll drop the DRM on all iTunes tracks. Other music distributors (some which sell the same tracks as iTunes) have already done this. Dropping DRM on iTunes tracks would be less onerous than the current arrangement where some … Continue reading →

Posted in Free Software

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