From Paul Gil,
Your Guide to Internet for Beginners.
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A. March, 2008

DRM, short for "Digital Rights Management", is anti-piracy technology. DRM is used by digital copyright owners to control who gets to access and copy their work. In particular, DRM gives programmers, musicians and movie artists some ability to remote control how people can install, listen to, view, and duplicate digital files.

Although DRM is a broad term describing many different technical formats, it always involves some form of digital padlock on the file. These padlocks are called "licensed encryption keys" (intricate mathematical codes) that prevent just anyone from using or copying the file. People who pay for these licensed encryption keys are given the unlock codes to use the file for themselves, but are usually prevented from then sharing that file with other people.

Q2: "Why is DRM so Controversial?"

Ans: because the programmer or artist is deciding how and when you can use their files, it is arguable that you do not really own the file after you buy it. As paying consumers learn more about DRM technology and civil liberties, many of them become outraged that they no longer "own" their music, movies, or software. Yet at the same time, how do programmers and artists reasonably get paid for every copy of their work? The answer, like any digital copyright issue, is unclear at best. The DRM debate rages on, and you can read more about it here.


Q3: "How Do I Know When my Files Have DRM on Them?"

Ans: Commonly, you will know right away if DRM is in place. Any one of these situations is DRM:

• You are using a WMA file;
• You are using an ACC file;
• You need specific software or specific music player hardware to play the file;
• You are limited to how many times you can download;
• You are limited in number of hours/days you can download;
• The number of different computers you can download to is limited;
• The number of times you can burn a CD is limited;
• You need a special password and/or logon ID before you can play the file;
• You need to reply to confirmation emails before you can play the file.

The above are just the common methods of DRM. There are more DRM methods being developed every week.

*As of this writing, MP3 files themselves do not have DRM padlocks on them, but getting access to MP3 files is getting more difficult every day as the MPAA and RIAA crack down on MP3 file sharing.

Q4: "So, How Does DRM Work, Exactly?"

Ans: although DRM does come in many different forms, it usually has four common stages: packaging, distribution, license-serving, and license acquisition.

1. Packaging is when DRM encryption keys are built right into the software, the music file, or the movie file.
2. Distribution is when DRM-encrypted files are delivered to the customers. This is usually through web server downloads, CD's/DVD's, or via files emailed to the customers.
3. License Serving is where specialized servers authenticate legitimate users through an Internet connection, and allow them to access the DRM files. Simultaneously, license servers lock up the files when illegitimate users try to open or copy the files.
4. License Acquisition is where legitimate customers acquire their encryption keys so they can unlock their files.

Q5: "What are Some Examples of DRM in Action?"

Ans: Below are some common DRM examples that you can click on. These examples represent how one DRM service padlocks files:


• e.g. Subscription: you pay for time-limited access to music or movie files.
• e.g. 24 hour preview (a short form of a subscription)
• e.g. Streaming files that cannot be saved by the listener/viewer.
• e.g. Mutiple licenses that require email verification.
• e.g. Free delivery, but with email verification.
• e.g. "Silent Delivery" - a very mild form of DRM.

Q6: "How Do I Learn More About DRM and Its Controversy?"

Ans 1: More on DRM: Digital Rights Management for Music Downloaders.
Ans 2: The DRM Controversy: Does DRM Violate Your Rights as a Music Purchaser?


Q7: "What Online Music Stores Sell DRM-Free Songs?"

Ans: Puretracks.com: is currently the only legitimate online music store that sells music with DRM locks.
(Note: as of February 2007, for reasons of international legal controversy, Puretracks only sells DRM-free music to people with a Canadian IP address.)