The Wall Street Journal reports that Disney is close to releasing a new system that will sell permanent, multi-device access to digital media. The system, dubbed Keychest, is being positioned as an answer to consumer concerns about purchasing digital media that are locked to a small number of devices, and thus as a way to finally shift media sales from an ownership model to an access model. They claim that such a service would reduce the risk of losing access to content as a result of a single vendor going out of business, as purchased content would remain available from other vendors. However, they do not seem to have addressed the question of what happens to customers' access to purchased content if the Keychest service itself is discontinued.The Wall Street Journal reports that Disney is close to releasing a new system that... more
Microsoft has been granted a patent for a new type of DRM that works over p2p-style networks. By using public/private encryption keys, it could be used to reinvigorate p2p as a legitimate source of content.
Something tells us Kaleidescape has a man (or woman, to be fair) on the inside, else United States District Court Judge Marilyn Patel is just downright trifilin'.Something tells us Kaleidescape has a man (or woman, to be fair) on the inside, else... more
In Part 1 of a multi-part exclusive interview, GameVisions talks with with developer Vincent van Geel; co-founder of indie developer Isotx, Inc. on Iron Grip: Warlord and the industry at large.
The first installment covers the evolution of the Iron Grip universe from a Half-Life 2 total conversion mod to a full commercial franchise, and the business side of life as an indie including distribution, and DRM.
From the Interview:
"...we wanted to create a small-scaled, yet FPS/RTS hybrid game, not focusing on next-gen graphics like most in this genre do, but focusing entirely on wild arcade-like gameplay that could casually be played at LAN parties and such. It was an insanely risky choice, since most FPS players seem very hooked onto the next-gen appeal of the genre, but we got a good niche-bunch of them to get interested in Warlord. We come from a background of pure gameplay..."In Part 1 of a multi-part exclusive interview, GameVisions talks with with developer... more
For years the RIAA has defended the use of DRM, much to the dislike of millions of honest customers who actually paid for their music. Now, in a shocking turnaround, the outfit seems to have come to the realization that DRM does more harm than good and has officially declared its death.For years the RIAA has defended the use of DRM, much to the dislike of millions of... more
Over the last year, governments and corporations have been pushing to crack down on Internet freedoms. But all is not lost. A cyber freedom movement has been growing over the last two and a half decades, and in late June, thousands of activists met at the 10th International Forum on Free Software (FISL) in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
“This is important today, because the Internet, our civil rights, have never been under such an attack as today. Right now they are looking to regulate the Internet,” said Marcelo Blanco, founder and organizer of the FISL, which they say is now the largest technology and information event in Latin America.Over the last year, governments and corporations have been pushing to crack down on... more
A project by the Electronic Frontier Foundation has been created to help teachers provide accurate informations about the laws concerning digital rights & the concepts of copyright and piracy.
There are lots of free resources for both student and educators, available in PDF documents, external links, or “Frequently Asked Questions” pages; you can access all of them on the TeachingCopyright website, which is structured as a curriculum…
(continue...)A project by the Electronic Frontier Foundation has been created to help teachers... more
In a recent interview, Capcom stated that SecuROM was not the large problem the gaming community made it out to be, making Capcom into one of the first few high profile companies to defend the use and functionality of SecuROM.
"The technology itself is not the bad guy. It's how it's implemented and, further more, how it's communicated or not communicated to fans. I think so many people have been beaten up so badly with let's say more restrictive forms of DRM that they always assume the worst. That's not always the case."
Through the answers provided in the interview, Capcom makes clear that the gamers themselves are meant to be the ignorant and evil force at work, not the game developers or the SecuROM system.In a recent interview, Capcom stated that SecuROM was not the large problem the gaming... more
La musica senza lucchetto digitale (il famigerato «Drm», Digital rights management) non è la fine della tutela giuridica del diritto di riproduzione. E soprattutto non autorizza in alcun modo la copia illimitata.
La decisione presa da Apple due giorni fa di rimuovere entro poche settimane i vincoli tecnologici alla copia non autorizzata dai 10 milioni di brani a catalogo che vende in tutto il mondo attraverso il suo negozio di musica, film e telefilm digitali iTunes store (si veda «Il Sole 24 Ore» di ieri), non affievolisce infatti in alcun modo gli obblighi contrattuali che intercorrono tra il venditore e l'acquirente della musica.
«In pratica - spiega l'avvocato esperto di diritto industriale e della rete Laura Turini - è come se in una strada in cui vi è il limite di velocità ai 50 chilometri all'ora avessero rimosso i dissuasori, cioè i dossi artificiali che impediscono alle macchine di correre. L'auto senza dossi può violare più facilmente la legge, ma la norma rimane e la sanzionabilità della violazione anche».La musica senza lucchetto digitale (il famigerato «Drm», Digital rights management)... more
Apple has finally given in to record company demands and has changed the flat-rate price structure on iTunes. Individual songs will now be available at three different price points: 69 cents, 99 cents, and $1.29. In return, the record companies have agreed to let Apple offer DRM-free music on iTunes, at twice the quality than previously available. 8 million songs will be available immediately for download without the DRM encoding. Apple plans to have the entire iTunes catalog DRM-free by March of this year. Looks like Apple is ready to play hardball with Amazon.com, who had struck a similiar deal with record companies earlier last year. If you'd like to upgrade your library, head over to iTunes to receive a discounted rate.Apple has finally given in to record company demands and has changed the flat-rate... more
The report that Sony BMG is moving to DRM-free downloads represents the music industry's white-flag concession that its copyright-protection scheme created a powerhouse in Apple's iTunes Store while failing to combat piracy.
While industry analysts said Apple probably will lose market share in digital downloads as the majors gravitate away from DRM, the resulting increase in online music sales outlets will likely create a larger market for the ubiquitous iPod and emerging iPhone.
The iTunes market share will decline, predicted Phil Leigh, an analyst with Inside Digital Media, but the move away from DRM "will probably stimulate demand for the iPod."The report that Sony BMG is moving to DRM-free downloads represents the music... more
Nessuna protezione contro la pirateria nelle versioni scatolate per PC di Prince of Persia, il platformer messo sul mercato da Ubisoft nella prima settimana di dicembre nei formati console e disponibile da oggi in quella PC. A confermare l'assenza di qualsiasi DRM è il manager della comunità Ubisoft, Chris Easton.
"Molte persone sostengono di essere costrette alla pirateria per via delle procedure di funzionamento invadenti di alcuni DRM, per cui con Prince of Persia per PC vogliamo vedere quanto sono sincere queste persone", ha scritto Easton sul forum di Ubisoft. Solamente le versioni scatolate di Prince of Persia non contengono la protezione anti-pirateria, che è invece presente nelle copie del gioco comprate via internet.Nessuna protezione contro la pirateria nelle versioni scatolate per PC di Prince of... more
Nasce per il primo sito che consente agli utenti di rivendere i propri file mp3 privi di DRM. Ancora non è nota la posizione delle major in materia. Il problema è che una volta uploadato il file da vendere al venditore ne rimane comunque una copiaNasce per il primo sito che consente agli utenti di rivendere i propri file mp3 privi... more
Il sito TorrentFreak propone una particolare classifica che ci mostra il quadro dei giochi più "piratati" del 2008, ovvero quello maggiormente crackati e scaricati da internet nel corso dell'anno.
Nonostante l'imponente apparato di DRM e sistemi di sicurezza a protezione dei diritti d'autore, il primo posto è stato conquistato con grosso margine proprio da Spore, il nuovo simulatore globale di Will Wright e EA, con 1,7 milioni di copie distribuite illegalmente.Il sito TorrentFreak propone una particolare classifica che ci mostra il quadro dei... more
Ok we're not sure if this is a joke or whether some opportunist is just having a go, but if it is a ruse it's so elaborate we just had to share it with you.
Bopaboo is a music download service that offers DRM-free music at far lower prices than you'll find elsewhere - as low as 25c per song in fact. How do they do this? Because the music is second hand. Yep, you read it right.
Someone has decided that people are going to want to sell MP3s that they've already listened to or, don't want anymore, to other people. That's if, of course, other people are going to be willing to buy them.
Small print in the terms and conditions states that "You will delete any remaining copies of the Used Published Item that may exist in your possession, custody or control" and goes on to say that "...you agree to indemnify and defend bopaboo against any and all claims arising out of any transaction in which you are the seller".
Aside from apparently trying to use customers as a legal team in the event of an inevitable backlash from the recording industry, other titbits include the headline "stop illegally sharing and start legally selling" and claims to help the music industry "in the quest to decrease interest in peer-to-peer file sharing".
The service apparently works in the same way as sites like Amazon and eBay, with customer feedback available and a payment system that involves the site taking a slice of any profits then forwarding the rest on to you.
Amazon MP3 giunge in Europa. Si parte dal più avanzato mercato del Regno Unito, ma il servizio è destinato ad espatriare anche in altri paesi dell'UE. Il servizio promette prezzi ridotti rispetto ad iTunes e file privi di Digital Right ManagementAmazon MP3 giunge in Europa. Si parte dal più avanzato mercato del Regno Unito, ma il... more
James Boyle di Creative Commons ha pubblicato un nuovo libro dal titolo “The Public Domain: Enclosing of the Commons of the Mind“, liberamente scaricabile in formato PDF o anche consultabile direttamente online.
Il testo affronta la storia, la teoria e la definizione terminologica del “Pubblico Dominio” oltre ad affrontare il concetto in sè di “condivisione della cultura” in particolare naturalmente nella istanze che nascono dalle nuove tecnologie.
(continua...)James Boyle di Creative Commons ha pubblicato un nuovo libro dal titolo “The Public... more
Probabilmente nei prossimi mesi l'intero catalogo musicale di iTunes potrebbe essere DRM-free. La notizia per ora è solo un rumor ma Apple avrebbe instaurato i colloqui con Universal, Warner e Sony BMG al fine di poter convertire presto l'intero catalogo. Dagli accordi è esclusa EMI, la quale ha già convertito la sua musica come DRM-free.
C/Net riferisce di avere fonti certe per l'informazione e sempre da queste fonti l'unica Major fra le tre pronta a firmare l'accordo potrebbe essere Sony-BMG. Le altre due case discografiche non avrebbero ancora trovato un accordo con Apple.Probabilmente nei prossimi mesi l'intero catalogo musicale di iTunes potrebbe essere... more
Gizmodo reports on rumours that Apple could really be close to securing a deal that will provide DRM-free music from major recording studios including Universal, Warner and Sony BMG, which implies that the tunes will also be available for other media players, as well as putting iTunes firmly in amongst competitors like Play.com. Gizmodo speculates that Sony, amongst others, may also be following the trend.
Sounds like a good thing too - just as long as Apple don't somehow slap in some other restrictive measure...Gizmodo reports on rumours that Apple could really be close to securing a deal that... more
