Anti-DRM Protests Aim to Eliminate DRM

An unusual occurrence recently transpired recently in San Francisco. Several people in yellow jumpsuits went to the Apple store to protest the use of DRM in the iTunes music tracks.

Note: This is an article I wrote that was published elsewhere first. It has been republished here for archival purposes

“Defective By Design”, an organization that plans “to eliminate DRM” (hence the suits they wear.)

Outside the entertainment industry, there are not many that actually like DRM (Digital Rights Management.) In fact, many artists dislike DRM as demonstrated by Steven Page and the CMCC (Canadian Music Creators Coalition). The reputation of DRM was hit by a significant setback, ironically, by Sony. Since then, DRM has been placed more vividly into the public consciousness in ways unwanted by major record labels. It has been an uphill battle from there to portray DRM in a positive light.

The San Francisco protest has several pictures and a video documenting the event. The last major anti-DRM protest in the United States as reported by Slyck was planned and executed in New York late last year. Could this be the beginnings of something bigger?

Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Google+.