Quote:
Originally Posted by stonetools
THe analogy of a lock is helpful here. A lock on the door will not stop a determined, skilful burglar from breaking into my house. But it will stop the casual amateur.
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DRM isn't like a lock you install on your house door. It isn't a helpful analogy. If you really want a house/lock analogy for DRM, here's a much closer one:
A builder builds a house and sells it to you (leasehold!). The builder has installed a clever lock on the house that recognises you and unlocks the door for you. The builder also makes the lock recognise the other members of your family. Up to six of them, anyway.
But you can't change the lock yourself. You can't rent the house out to anyone. And you can't sell the house to anyone, as the builder won't reset the lock to recognise new owners.
And then one day, you can't get into your house. You've got new glasses, or shaved off your beard, and the lock no longer recognises you. The builder has gone out of business, and there's no way to reset the lock. You house is now useless. But another builder has a very similar house next door. You just need to pay again.
And even this isn't a very good analogy, as while it's working the lock actually does you, the house 'owner' some good. DRM does not do anything for someone who's bought an ebook.