http://www.techdirt.com/ Easily digestible tech news.... http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1397 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:33:40 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1397 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1379 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:33:38 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1379 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1371 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:33:09 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130523/00174423181/kim-dotcom-threatens-to-sue-google-facebook-twitter-over-2-factor-authentication-patent-if-they-dont-help-him.shtml#c1371 It's the stuff you DIDN'T say that we're focusing on

Yeah. That pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

And, of course, it's Kim Dotcom, so you give him a free pass with this stuff.

Pointing out that this is a dumb move and probably hurts his own case is giving him a free pass?

Seriously, dude, I've told you before, and I'll say it again: you need to stop listening to the voices in your head that you THINK is me, and start responding to what I actually said. The fact that you have this strawman Mike built up in your head who is nothing like I actually am, but which you insist is the real me, is fucking weird.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c176 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:32:17 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c176 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/01382223168/new-york-times-tells-startup-it-cant-even-mention-ny-times.shtml#c1012 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:32:05 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/01382223168/new-york-times-tells-startup-it-cant-even-mention-ny-times.shtml#c1012 http://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20130523/01030023182/man-butt-dials-911-while-discussing-murder-plot.shtml#c235 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:31:43 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/blog/wireless/articles/20130523/01030023182/man-butt-dials-911-while-discussing-murder-plot.shtml#c235
For all the complaining from law enforcement that they need to be able to record and listen to communications to protect us, it does not seem to do much good even when they are given the opportunity.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/17321623162/released-video-silva-beating-shows-his-last-moments-video-actual-beating-still-missing.shtml#c852 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:30:51 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130521/17321623162/released-video-silva-beating-shows-his-last-moments-video-actual-beating-still-missing.shtml#c852 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c174 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:30:20 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c174
THIS is why I hate the current trends in proprietary media. Window's is only a small segment of the media viewing market. Tablets, laptops, PC's, smartphones, ipods and more are all capable of viewing internet media. How do media companies respond to this? By trying to tell you that you aren't allowed to view or support their content on any but a narrow range of systems.

Here's a quick tip. When something is scarce, you control the market. When you try to CREATE scarcity, you offend the market.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130515/11032823096/how-low-can-drones-go.shtml#c944 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:27:50 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130515/11032823096/how-low-can-drones-go.shtml#c944 Congress and the FAA could solve this problem quickly and easily. Just mandate a 1000-foot minimum altitude over private property, for all types of aircraft, regardless of whether it's urban or rural.

That would eliminate many of the proposed uses for commercial drones, like deliveries. If drone use is going to be fully commercialized, it isn't going to happen.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c171 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:27:46 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c171 http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c168 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:27:46 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c168
About this.

DRM is not a piracy stopping tool. It is a competition stopping tool.

DRM + DMCA anti-circumvention clauses means that you can't create competing devices to play protected media without either paying for licensing or violating the law. Hence, total an complete monopoly on both the product and the consumption channels.

DRM was never about piracy. It is about control and keeping the competition away.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c143 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:26:10 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c143
DRM is due to a desire to control how you are allowed to use media. But most importantly DRM is to prevent new technology from gaining hold in the market, or at least control its growth.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c122 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:25:16 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c122
Not true. I'm willing to bet a ton of piracy after this debacle is going to be due to DRM. If you want to get shafted on something you legally purchased go right ahead, but anyone who doesn't turn around and acquire unrestricted versions of the stuff they legally bought is throwing money to the wind.

For example, I keep records of all the games I own through steam, so if the service ever pulls something like this, I know what games I own and what games to look for through other means. I do the same for every gatekeeper system I purchase content through.

So this article is, if read with any sense at all, despite the silly trolls, arguments against DRM.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c114 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:24:56 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c114
If you can't compete with free, then you are a dinosaur and should not be in business.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c103 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:23:24 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c103
Just another way of saying "I don't want to compete, please protect me"

"Also, all DRM is due to piracy."

Absolute rubbish.

"So this article is, if read with any sense at all, despite the silly denials, arguments against piracy."

Wah wah, look at me, give me all your attention]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c85 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:23:06 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c85
Well, I guess Microsoft and Apple are screwed then, what with all those free Linux distros out there.

Their combined market share must be minuscule.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/01382223168/new-york-times-tells-startup-it-cant-even-mention-ny-times.shtml#c1010 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:21:58 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/01382223168/new-york-times-tells-startup-it-cant-even-mention-ny-times.shtml#c1010
Just goes to show - what makes a great story is not all the tech wizardry but the actual story....]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c60 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:21:29 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c60
If Acetrax didn't have any DRM to begin with, it's more than likely they wouldn't be shutting down at all.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c47 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:18:14 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c47
Also, all DRM is due to piracy.

So this article is, if read with any sense at all, despite the silly denials, arguments against piracy.]]> http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c27 Thu, 23 May 2013 09:17:55 PDT http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130522/10290323174/vod-service-acetrax-shuts-down-germany-customers-movies-are-lost-due-to-drm.shtml#c27
Microsoft created Plays For Sure. They partnered with third party media player makers, and with content owners.

Later Microsoft decided to copy Apple's strategy more closely. So Microsoft announced that they would be shutting down the DRM servers for Plays For Sure. Better get your content onto the final device you want to rest in peace on.

Next, Microsoft introduced the Zune. Microsoft is the only device vendor. Microsoft controls the store. Microsoft partners with content providers. This time you can trust DRM -- you won't get micro shafted -- for sure!

Later, Microsoft abandons Zune. So Microsoft announced that they would be shutting down the DRM servers for Plays For Sure. Better get your content onto the final device you want to rest in peace on.

Amazon and others have had episodes like this with ebooks and other content. There have also been episodes of purchased books magically being 'disappeared' from customer devices for various reasons.

Never trust DRM. Don't buy it. Don't participate. If they are 'selling' you something with DRM then you are getting screwed.

Rented or streaming content isn't quite as bad because it is clear up front that you are merely renting for a limited time, or are streaming while that content is offered and available.

Is it any surprise that physical DVD's seem to be disappearing from the market?]]>