Free as in Freedom

0x69: Microsoft's E-Book Platform and Other DRM Disasters


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Karen and Bradley discuss the end to Microsoft's e-book platform and

generally the dangers and disasters that Digital Restrictions Management
(DRM) cause for software users and developers.

Show Notes:

Karen and Bradley discuss the end to Microsoft's e-book platform and

generally the dangers and disasters that Digital Restrictions Management
(DRM) cause for software users and developers.

Segment 0 (00:35)
  • Bradley mentioned that Microsoft ended
  • their e-book platform. He said this was “last month” but
    we ended up releasing this show late, so it was in August 2019
    (01:31).
  • Bradley mentioned the analog hole. (09:50)
  • Karen discussed the exception
  • process under DMCA, which Conservancy
    participated in regarding “Smart” TVs. (12:30)
  • Bradley mentioned this historical
  • burning of the Library of Alexandria as a Roman weapon, comparing it
    to DRM. (15:07)
  • Bradley talked about how Netflix
  • and Microsoft used Silverlight initially as the method of DRM, and
    that Microsoft was a leader in the entertainment industry in providing DRM
    (20:00)
    Segment 1 (26:31)
    • Bradley and Karen discuss how DRM and other lock-down of devices,
    • including medical devices, are creating problems in society generally.
    • Karen noted that the role of for-profit companies is not to
    • safeguard the public interest. (41:10)
    • Bradley mentioned you can turn
    • off DRM on the Google Play store for your book (as the
      publisher). (43:04)

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