Entries tagged with “open access” from Tools of Change for Publishing

A Comeback for DRM?

Mac Slocum
May 9, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Listen

Digital rights management (DRM) discussions abated in recent months as some companies gravitated toward DRM-free formats, but the calm came to an abrupt end yesterday when David Hughes from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) predicted a comeback for DRM. From News.com:

"I think there is going to be a shift," Hughes said during the Digital Hollywood conference. "I think there will be a movement towards subscription services, and (that) will eventually mean the return of DRM."

Rebuttals have been passionate and pointed.

Hughes also blended argument and counter argument, defending DRM while echoing the rallying cry of anti-DRM advocates:

"People just want music when they want it," Hughes said. "It's about access. If they get that then they don't care about DRM."

In a broad analysis, Ars Technica discusses the discrepancy between Hughes' "access" comment and current DRM realities:

The problem with DRM is that users can't use the files how they want, which is why they do care. And we're miles away from the kind of magical solution envisioned by Hughes that would create the perfect, unnoticeable DRM scheme. [Emphasis from original post]

(Via Techdirt)

Related Stories:

• Charting the Pitfalls of DRM
• DRM, DMCA and Competitive Lock-In
• Responsibly Assuaging Author Concerns about File Sharing and "Piracy"
• TorrentSpy Hit with $110+ Million Copyright Judgment

Will Open Mobile Access Benefit Book Publishing?

Mac Slocum
March 21, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Listen

The C-block segment of the recently completed spectrum auction includes a provision for open access, which means consumers will (in theory) be able to use any wireless phone and any software they like. Verizon won the majority of the C-block licenses with its $9.4 billion bid.

If open access is truly embraced, the new spectrum could yield a host of mobile applications related to the book publishing industry, including new ebooks and ebook readers, platform-independent audio and video content (great for author interviews, book podcasts, and recommendations), and mobile book tie-ins and mash-ups.

The Web found its footing when fast connections and open source development meshed. Will mobile follow a similar trajectory?