Boston Public Library. What can be done about problems with digital restrictions management DRM?...

[the zak]

We've been contacted by the BPL about making arrangements to
discuss the problems with digital restrictions management
DRM and what might be done about it
http://defectivebydesign.org/blog/1120
http://defectivebydesign.org/about

see also
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=defectivebydesign+bpl&m=tags

[Dennis McMullen]

I'm the head of a reference department in a medium sized public library in Ohio. I just published a post in my blog, "the Reference desk, (http://sanduskyref.blogspot.com)" about a month ago in an attempt to inform my staff about the insidious nature of DRM. I think it is very exciting that you took your protest to the streets, and even more importantly, you're getting a response. I think ALA should make DRM a priority. Obvously we have to pressure the suppliers of digital media. I believe that some of the main companies that supply to libraries are Overdrive and Netlibrary. I also believe that writers and artists need to be better educated about the restrictions being placed on their works, and that it probably harms their bottom line more than helps it. There's an excellent article in the last Rolling Stone about Radio Head releasing their most recent CD on their website. You can pay anything you want to download it. Six out of ten people pay nothing and Radio Head is still averaging $2.56 a download, which is more than they would have received if they had went with a record company. Good luck, I will be following this post.