Of Cold Fusion And Perfect DRM

Overhype

from the yeah,-nice-try dept

It’s funny how every year or so, some company comes out with a claim that it has created the absolute perfect copy protection system that works perfectly every time, preventing unauthorized copying, but allowing authorized playback. The latest such claim comes along with amusing boasts such as its ability to “wipe out” file sharing. Beyond the fact that most content companies (despite their claims) don’t want to wipe out file sharing, there simply is no way to make a perfect copy protection system. If the content needs to be seen, listened to or read, then there will be a way to make a copy and get it on a file sharing system. It’s that simple. Of course, we’re dealing with industries that seem to have no problems whatsoever in exaggerating claims — so perhaps it’s normal. Next thing you know, we’ll find out that these firms are working on cold fusion and perpetual motion machines.