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Why copy-protection is bad

August 13, 2007 › Sandy McMurray | comment

This article provides a good explanation of the problem with copy-protected media.

Summary: Google Video is shutting down its download-to-own/rent program on August 15.

This will leave its customers with video clips that will no longer work.

Those who bought copy-protected files from Google Video will get a partial refund, but they won't be able to watch the clips they purchased once Google turns off the system.

This is why DRM is bad for consumers: after you buy the product, control of the product remains in the hands of the vendor.

Update: Google's decision has not been well received by customers, so they've have decided to refund purchase costs and let customers keep the Google Checkout credits they've already been issued. Which, ironically, makes the greedy part of me wish that I had bought or rented DRM'd videos from Google.

August 13, 2007 › Sandy McMurray | comment on this item