DRM

DRM, or digital rights management, refers to a set of access control technologies used to restrict the use, modification, copying, or sharing of digital content and devices. It is employed across media such as software, music, video, e-books, and video games and often involves licensing or authentication requirements.

DRM methods include encryption and key management, license servers that validate uses, and hardware protections such as device binding. Content may be tied to regions, time limits, or platforms. Examples include CSS for DVDs, AACS for Blu-ray, HDCP for protected transmission, and software activation. Many storefronts apply DRM to e-books, music, and games through licenses.

DRM is intended to deter unauthorized copying and redistribution, but it has been criticized for restricting legitimate use, reducing consumer autonomy, and causing compatibility and repair problems. Critics point to vendor lock-in, limitations on fair use, difficulties with long-term preservation, and the impact on libraries and accessibility.

Legal regimes generally prohibit circumvention of DRM, with notable examples including the United States Digital Millennium Copyright Act and similar provisions in other jurisdictions. Proponents argue that DRM supports monetization in markets with piracy pressures; opponents advocate for user rights, DRM-free options, or more interoperable licensing schemes.

Current trends include the prominence of streaming services that deliver DRM-protected content and ongoing development of DRM standards and platforms such as Widevine, PlayReady, and FairPlay. Some sectors explore lighter or more open approaches, while others emphasize platform-specific restrictions as part of their business models.