DRM Stops Piracy for Now, Preservation for the Future

Bringing a whole new meaning to "future-proof"...

from JoeUser Forums

In a new report issued jointly by the United States Library of Congress and preservation groups in Australia, the UK, and the Netherlands, a problem has been brought to light that companies who use DRM may not have foreseen: their works can't legally be duplicated by the LOC, and may well disappear entirely once the media degrades or the means to use the works are lost.

We've had discussions recently about DRM that causes trouble for legitimate users, but this takes the issue a step further--thanks to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, a growing number of games, programs, music, and other digital works may only last as long as the discs they're on. [more]

The Library says that they do have the option to propose exceptions to laws preventing archival (which then need to be approved by the government), but even if they can get permission to circumvent DRM, they are powerless against the DMCA's prohibition on obtaining the tools to do so.

Some people have commented that DRM is okay as long as it isn't "too" onerous. But sadly the DMCA makes no such distinction--the weakest is just as much a problem as the very worst, since the Library of Congress is bound to abide by the law in their efforts to preserve creative works.

Let's not sit idly by and let the games and music we enjoy die within our lifetimes. Support companies who don't use DRM, petition those who do to stop, and work for change in laws governing it (in the US and in other countries with similar laws)!

56,237 views 20 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
Another problem with DRM. Hilarious.

This should be interesting if enough people notice.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Once upon a time some 'clever' people [the BBC for one] though it a clever idea that once they'd broadcast a Television Series they could re-use the media for their next recording/s and taped over the old.

Sadly this was at a time BEFORE end-users had the facilities [at home] to record what was broadcast....eg. was before the advent of VHS/Beta in the home.

Lots of series were thus lost permanently [unless you star-jump to Ursa Minor and catch the signals from decades ago...;)

Examples were proggies like Doctor Who, where entire series/episode sets were 'lost'.  Then one day some arcjhivist was rummaging through the ABC vaults [in Australia] and found some old copies that were used to broadcast here...and many were thus recovered.

One of my personal faves...Callan is still missing virtually all of the first 2 series [in B/W]...and are almost certain to be gone for good.

I remember watching them...in the late 60s ....but they'll be 'no more'.

That's just plain frustratingly annoying....and shows what a lack of fore-sight can really do.

Meanwhile....VHS/Beta tapes do not last 'forever', either....so dubbing them to DVD [with or without remastering] is vital...and DVD/CD media is really an unknown quantity with regards to viable life-span.

Anyone creating [or distributing] art/video/music etc needs to be pro-active with regards to issues of Preservation.

Not everything we do/have is or deserves to be treated like the disposable society we seem to embrace so well.

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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
One thing i don't understand is..why can't the Library of Congress or any national archives aren't granted the exception to preserve software and music. This is so ridiculous. Is the DRM issue confine to PC/video games and music.
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
Steam and Impulse, both being DRM, fall in exactly the same dilemma.

When they go under, where will all their games/updates go?
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
When they go under, where will all their games/updates go?
Brad has stated before that if Stardock ever closes up shop flags can be set to remove activation checks.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

This was the argument we made in a university paper regarding DRM and the culture being lost to its implementation.  Good to see LOC following suit with our findings :)

 

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Steam and Impulse, both being DRM, fall in exactly the same dilemma.

 

There is zero copy protection on our retail discs, and those are what they'd be archiving.

Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
One thing i don't understand is..why can't the Library of Congress or any national archives aren't granted the exception to preserve software and music.


Embittered ex-scholar's answer: Because librarians don't have anywhere near the combined pull of the RIAA, MPAA, and SIIA.

I formally support pluralistic democracy, but the interest group problem is, well, bad at times. At least when you're convinced that a particular interest group is working *counter to* your own interests, which is how I think about the three I named.

p.s. Librarians are still a very interesting and regularly influential class of folks. They do win some of the lower-profile fights here in the US, such as protecting our borrowing records and trying to keep our library-based net usage private. But those issues don't directly affect profit margins...
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
There is zero copy protection on our retail discs, and those are what they'd be archiving.


Meaning things like Twilight of the Arnor will not get into the archive, as it does not have a retail version?
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Direct-ordered CDs are also activation free, AFAIK.
Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top
Kryo beat me.
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
I think its time we re-think the law. I mean they blame piracy for every buck they lose.

Now that DRM tell us that when you purchase the game we are really borrowing it ; its like buying an axe buy you cant make your own because the company has the right to produce it. (pure bullshi8t)
I mean the goverment is run by Corporate interest sickens me. Hope those companies who support DRM files Bankruptcy :p
Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top
Since when does DRM stop piracy? It stops you installing your game on your mates PC perhaps but stop large scale piracy? Afraid not.

And Kyro your patches will be lost when/if Impulse becomes no more, got to admit that would be a shame if i wanted to boot up Sins for nostalgia reasons in years to come.
Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top
I think its time we re-think the law. I mean they blame piracy for every buck they lose.Now that DRM tell us that when you purchase the game we are really borrowing it ; its like buying an axe buy you cant make your own because the company has the right to produce it. (pure bullshi8t)I mean the goverment is run by Corporate interest sickens me. Hope those companies who support DRM files Bankruptcy


i dont se stardock going under, and brad already said that if it did they would remove the activation checks so you can still run the games.

stardock will continue to do well though, no DRM is the way to go.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
There is zero copy protection on our retail discs, and those are what they'd be archiving.

What Stardock places on the retail discs and the game after all the many free updates and paid expansions can differ greatly. GalCiv II ToA 1.96 is far different from GalCiv II DL 1.0. Did DA or ToA ever get released on retail CDs?
The many free download updates that require authentication is Stardock's method to encourage users to purchase the game rather than download a stolen copy of the retail CDs.
I find with the inexpensive games I purchase for my young daughters, the games are very frequently accessing the CD, not just at startup. It drives me CRAZY!!! X-(
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
DRM is okay up to a certain point. I can stand the DRM in stuff like iTunes downloads.




However, I can't stand the DRM in DVDs.
Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top
Mascrinthus, Stardock has built archiving into their system. To create archives for the fully updated versions, one would simply tell Impulse to archive them.

The DRM issue only applies to something you'd need to get around, and Stardock has given us tools instead of obstacles.