DRM.info: Informing about the dangers of controlling private media use
Early this morning, a group of contributing organisations and authors launched DRM.info, [1] a collaborative information platform about the potential dangers of Digital Restriction Management (DRM) initiated by the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE).
"'Your devices don't trust you!' is the basic message of DRM. In fact they trust you so little that they will not even tell you that they put you under surveillance," says Joachim Jakobs, FSFE's media coordinator. "The SONY rootkit case has shown that software was secretly installed without the users consent, reported back to SONY, and even damaged the Windows installation when being removed." [2]
Given the political implications of putting the owners of computers, media players, mobile phones and other devices under the control of the vendors of the devices, it is no wonder people would prefer if noone knew of DRM: A Disney executive told the 'Economist' [3] one year ago: "If consumers even know there's a DRM, what it is, and how it works, we've already failed."
In contrast, DRM.info is based on the idea that people should be informed and involved in decisions that will affect them on a very personal level.
"DRM technologies are based on the principle that a third party has more influence over your devices than you, and that their interests will override yours when they come in conflict. That is even true where your interest is perfectly legitimate and legal, and possibly also for your own data," explains Georg Greve, FSFE's president.
Libraries are also concerned about the impact of DRM on their ability to preserve our cultural heritage, to provide future access to public domain material and to exercise user priviledges under copyright law. "Libraries see DRM as a threat to our activities because it can undermine or even prevent legitimate access to and use of digital content", said Teresa Hackett, eIFL.net. "We welcome DRM.info as a platform for public debate on these important issues for society".
Georg Greve finishes: "DRM.info is about to end the silence on DRM and you can help us with that task: Download a DRM.info web button today and link to it." [4]
[1] http://drm.info [2] http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2005/11/sonys_drm_rootk.html [3] http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=4342418 [4] http://drm.info/artworks/drm-button
About DRM.info
DRM.info is a collaboration between several independent organisations and individuals. The views expressed reflect those of the organisation in question and, unless otherwise stated, are not made on behalf of the other contributors. All the contributors have a shared concern about the lack of an informed social debate on issues surrounding DRM technologies.
Contributors:
Consumer Project on Technology (CPTech) Electronic Frontier Finland (EFFI) Electronic Information for Libraries (eIFL.net) Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) iCommons (iCommons) International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) netzpolitik.org (netzpolitik.org)
and independent author Cory Doctorow.
DRM.info media partners:
Linux Magazine Brasil, Brazil Linux Magazine Espana, Spain PC World.cz, Czech
Punto Informatico, Italy: "DRM is a crucial issue when we look at the effects of those technologies on innovation and freedom of access. Punto Informatico believes that any such issue as DRM, which is already producing an outstanding impact on the development of the Information Society, must be put on the table of a large and partecipated debate. Our mission after more than ten years is still to contribute to inform Italian Internet users about the chances each one of us has in order to play a role in the shaping of our digital future" Paolo De Andreis, Punto Informatico main editor
VNU Business Publications Deutschland, Germany "VNU germany is going to join the DRM info-campaign as we have experienced in the past and strongly believe that DRM is not adding value to our business, benefitting our customers or creating new opportunities on the marketplace." Christian Miessner, Associate Publisher Online
About the Free Software Foundation Europe:
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) is a charitable non-governmental organisation dedicated to all aspects of Free Software in Europe. Access to software determines who may participate in a digital society. Therefore the Freedoms to use, copy, modify and redistribute software - as described in the Free Software definition- allow equal participation in the information age. Creating awareness for these issues, securing Free Software politically and legally, and giving people Freedom by supporting development of Free Software are central issues of the FSFE. The FSFE was founded in 2001 as the European sister organisation of the Free Software Foundation in the United States.
Further information: http://fsfeurope.org