http://dbinfo.bpl.org/dbblog/ Digital Rights Management
February 7th, 2008 by Scot Colford We often get questions about why people can't download OverDrive audio books or video to their iPods. Or sometimes, users are unhappy that they cannot preserve that downloaded material on their computers forever. Well, the Boston Public Library does not necessarily own the material you download -- we license it. Part of the agreement that allows us to license the material is the use of Digital Rights Managment (DRM). DRM is a software add-on that prevents digital files from being copied and redistributed, just like the software that prevents you from copying a DVD or a commercial VHS tape. Listen, we all know that DRM is annoying at best. But we're able to offer content that would not be available to anyone in digital format otherwise because publishers feel comfortable with DRM. I hope that changes, but until then, we'll keep trying to offer the best content to the most people. Here's the official BPL response. Rest assured that it was written by a real human being who knows what he's talking about, namely me: One of the most popular new services provided by the Boston Public Library is OverDrive, a vendor-supplied lending system for electronic books, audio books, music, and videos. Digital Library Reserve, the vendor from whom we license this content has secured thousands of popular, high-quality titles from many major publishers under the condition that digital rights management (DRM) measures are taken to ensure that the material cannot be redistributed. Furthermore, the specific DRM schema used on OverDrive titles allow material to circulate for distinct periods of time, permitting the library to honor its licensing contract and to provide a service paralleling the loan of physical material. No personal patron information is shared with OverDrive or other third-parties in the download or DRM process. Please see the BPL privacy policy for more information http://www.bpl.org/general/policies/privacy.htm While we are well aware of the frustration DRM schema can cause end users, we feel that the high numbers of use (nearly 100,000 downloads since September, 2005) send a strong signal that our customers want access to the material OverDrive provides. For many years, the BPL has offered material in a variety of formats that require specific hardware and/or contain copy-protection technologies (DVDs, Macrovision-protected VHS tapes), but we've never been asked to discontinue circulation of this material because not every customer has the ability to use them. Almost all of the titles available through OverDrive are also available in other formats. Customers who are unable to use DRM-protected content can certainly access the same content via CDs, DVDs, print books, and magnetic media. We also provide links to several other sources for digital eBooks, audio, and video that are in the public domain, and therefore do not require DRM. Boston Public Library is committed to providing free access to community-owned resources and will continue to search for partners who can provide material to the most number of users possible. Scot Colford Applications Manager Boston Public Library scolford at bpl.org Posted in General http://dbinfo.bpl.org/dbblog/ _______________________________________________ gnu-misc-discuss mailing list gnu-misc-discuss@gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss