Tuesday, 29 September 2015

Today, the magical topic is:

The very much hated, Direct Rights Management DRM.

Using DRM as a, "safe guard" for your digital content is absurd and detrimental for several reasons.


  • It's usually hard to implement
  • It creates a restrictive  user experience
  • It's expensive for the creator to implement
  • DRM does absolutely nothing to tech-savvy users
  • Instead of encouraging purchases, it does the opposite. 
  • It's just not cool
  • Tech-savvy users, literally use DRM as toilet paper. ( This is just fun to mention.)
  • DRM creates only wealth for companies, not for authors. 

Why did I decide to rant about DRM? I'll give you one very recent example, of how stupid and absurd it is. 

Yesterday I bought an ebook online.  I went to my account, I downloaded the file.  It's an Adobe DRM EPUB or .ACSM so, what happened?

I clicked on it, my computer opened the file using some adobe program. I didn't set up this program, didn't even have an account.  So I clicked, and bam, this file is FOREVER! Linked to this anonymous account.  I can only open and read this ebook on this computer , using only this adobe program with this account! No other way to fix it!

Complete doom I say, now I can't read it on my mobile nor tablet! It's a tragedy. 

Well, it would be a tragedy if, I was not tech-savvy. There is always a way around for technology. 
What's the solution? Remove the DRM and do what ever you want with your rightfully bought digital content!

You can download software, there's lots of it.  You have to transform/convert the DRM EPUB file, in to a new DRM free file of what ever kind you want, you can make it EPUB, MOBI, PDF. What ever your choice. 

The whole point of this is that,  DRM creates a very restrictive user experience that just annoys people. If people really want to get around DRM, they can do it. It's not difficult. 

That's why I personaly choose, to make all my content DRM free.  If you like it , you'll buy it. 
If you want to support artists and creators of whatever. You'll buy their product because you know that it's your obligation to support them. 

DRM is a puny attempt at babysitting adults. DRM is just digital fascism!! Throughout history, oppression has never worked. People never learn. 

Need some green tea now, to rant some more.

Be happy, be free. 

Mr. R

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