NOTE FROM KIM:

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is
technology publishers use to control
access to and use of digital data
(such as software, music, movies) and
hardware. With various devices such as
Apple’s iPod and Microsoft’s Zune
beginning to implement DRM, the
controversy around it is heating up.

The Top 5 Benefits of DRM

5> Added protection = extra layers of software = larger file sizes = bigger storage needed = increased electronics s consumer spending boost to our economy = the terrorists don’t win = added protection….

4> It’s just one more thing to discourage the propagation of Britney Spears songs.

3> It’s an excellent value indicator: Any music with DRM is probably not worth listening to anyway.

2> Cracking it will give beginning hackers a mildly interesting diversion for half an hour next Friday night.

and the Number 1 Benefit of DRM…

1> Hordes of unemployed music and film copyright lawyers will be roaming the streets, and a fat one will feed a family of starving musicians all winter.

.

Credits:

Selected from 24 submissions from 8 contributors.
This week’s list authors are:

James Knowles, Bellingham, WA — 1, 2, 3 (Hat trick!)
Brandon Hunt, Braintree, MA — 2, 4
Douglas Frank, Crosby, TX — 4, 5
Matt Van Opens, Watertown, WI — 4
Kim Moser, New York, NY — List Moderator, Topic