DRM (& more on sign-up)

The DRM bit: David Berlind over on zdnet points to an interesting article on Microsoft and Rights Management by Matt McKenzie. Both articles are worth a read, because they point to the tension between the increasing importance of open standards and the protection of intellectual property - both your IP and that of other people.

This is complex stuff, and although I'm no expert there are compelling arguments on both sides of the issue. On an intellectual level that makes it a very interesting area of the business of technology to watch. But, in the real world, whatever the long term solution turns out to be, unaware or uneducated consumers are at risk of getting burnt while we get from here to there. It's important that the industry gets this one right, whatever 'right' turns out to be.

The Sign-Up Bit: There's a link in David's article that should point to Matt's article in computer world, but unfortunately right now it's broken (it points to a piece on Zune by Erica Ogg). I was going to place the right link in David's comment stream, but zdnet wanted my home address just to sign up. No thanks. I suppose I'll have to send David an email instead ;-)

Tags: DRM | RightsManagement