Not all that

Futurebook, a blog recently started in association with UK-based The Bookseller, jumped right into the thick of a things with an early post, “DRM is not all that”.

Contributed by Nick Harkaway, the post argues that DRM restrictions “unmistakably make ebooks worth less while pushing up the price”. I agree.

There may be instances in which DRM restrictions make business sense for content providers: high-priced titles with small or defined audiences come to mind. But for the average book, restricting access and use appears to drive down price.

An additional note: Cory Doctorow, who writes more often and more forcefully than I do about DRM, recently posted a broad critique of the social consequences of DRM, content filters and intermediary liability. If you’re interested in a fuller understanding of DRM, take a few minutes to read Doctorow’s post.

About Brian O'Leary

Founder and principal of Magellan Media Consulting, Brian O’Leary helps enterprises with media and publishing components capitalize on the power of content. A veteran of more than 30 years in the publishing industry and a prolific content producer himself, Brian leverages the breadth and depth of his experience to deliver innovative content solutions.

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