DRM is a multi-headed beast - and it covers a range of technologies including
- Website based content protection (e.g. usernames/passwords up to signed URL's)
- Encrypted Files with personal keys (e.g. Windows Media DRM)
- Encrypted Streaming (e.g. Flash RTMPE + Player Verification)
- Digital Vault Services to allow repeat access to your content (e.g. Steam)
The key thing they all do is try and control the usage of usually of a content you have bought, rented or are seeing advertising funded.
I think the future of DRM depends on the content
Music
Basically Music DRM is dead. I can now legally buy my music without DRM with ease and I doubt anyone will succeed in bringing it back.
Music DRM is a good example of how NOT to do DRM. The early attempts were too annoying and too locked down. When I buy something DTO (Download To Own) I must be able to back it up, use it on my choice of portable device otherwise it becomes easier to pirate it!
Now we have ended up in the situation where legal MP3 DTO rules the market.
Games
Games DRM tends to fall into two categories
- Downloadshop DRM - like Steam
- CD/DVD DRM like securerom
I think the Steam model is going to win and is adding value to consumers. I can buy all my games via Steam. It lets me easily (more easily than with DVD's) move them between computers. It also stops me losing my old games as I can get them again at any time!
The CD/DVD DRM is a good example of bad DRM. It doesn't stop piracy (except for the shortest of periods after launch) and annoys the consumer. I don't want to have to carry around disks to use content on my computer!
Video
Video is the big unknown in the DRM land. At present online video for 'long form' content (as opposed to YouTube) is in its infancy. I believe DRM done well can add a lot of value - by make it easier to advertising fund content.
For video I see two models that will work
- Rental advertising or money funded - protected by DRM
- DTO - either with Steam like DRM or no DRM.
The key points here are
Rental
- Without DRM this won't work - people won't pay or will strip the ads
- DRM will have to be easy - e.g. no warnings, no security issues, transparent. Flash RTMPE is a great example of this.
DTO
- DRM is probably going to be optional people will start issuing content without DRM (just like happened with Music)
- For DRM to work it has to add value - so at the very least it should allow you to re-download your content over time
- It should also let you move content between computers (most DTO video doesn't let you do this)
- It should let you move content to ANY portable device
The elephant in the room with DRM is piracy. It is easier for me to get video content via a pirate network that it is via legal sources. Whatever the industry does has to solve that problem!
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