Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I am perplexed: is the author against DRM itself or only against the ways it is being misused?

Should everyone have the right to read Harry Potter without paying Rowling a dime? Because overpriced textbooks is a problem of US' universities, not of the fact that you should not use someone else's work for free.



The author is Richard Stallman [0]. Yes, he is against DRM itself. Consider this FAQ: https://defectivebydesign.org/faq

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stallman


There is a false dichotomy. It's not either DRM or poverty. The only way to make sure Rowling gets paid isn't to DRM e-books. In fact, I'd venture that the vast majority of her fortune isn't due to DRM.


The issue at hand is not one-sided. The side most often heard is the side in favor of copyright and DRM.

This is a cautionary tale. Not only does it eloquently explain the potential problems with copyright enforcement, it poignantly predicted the ones that exist today.


>Should everyone have the right to read Harry Potter without paying Rowling a dime?

If they get a library card at their local library, they can do just that. Are you in favor of banning libraries?




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: