May 18th, 2007
Can we expect to see DRM-free movies any time soon?
If DRM-free music turns out to be a success (that is, people buy it and don’t rampantly share it with others) then can we expect DRM-free movies to follow?
My ZDNet blogging colleague John Carroll thinks that this could happen:
This is why the experiment with unprotected digital music sales is so critical. If users opt to purchase legal digital music, and if such files don’t end up heavily “traded” on pirate networks, then I expect that movie studios will eventually opt to ship unprotected digital movies.
Loading ...I’m not so optimistic. The movie studios make a very substantial investment in movies, much more than go into songs. Also, DRM-free music isn’t all that new an idea because most CDs are already DRM-free. By comparison, DVD discs (as well as Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs) are protected. The copy-protection used might be rubbish, but it’s there nonetheless.
What do you think?
Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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