DRM debate wrongly still about locks and keys

The IDPF wants to create a DRM standard "occupying a middle ground between strong DRM and DRM-free." Here's what they should focus on instead.

DRM debate wrongly still about locks and keys

paidContent ran a piece a few days ago, "A kinder, gentler DRM?" discussing International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) attempts to create a DRM standard "occupying a middle ground between strong DRM and DRM-free."

After more than a decade dealing with this issue, the content industries still insist on using DRM to lock content rather than use it as a mechanism to promote monetized trade. So too do tech-industry distribution players such as Apple and Amazon.

DRM has become so tainted that in the consumer's mind the acronym means 'locks and keys.' The first thing the IDPF should do is stop using the term. From there we can have a meaningful discussion about how we monetize social trade.