Why does everyone blame Microsoft for DRM?

Browsing Digg tonight, I came across yet another "Microsoft is to blame for DRM" article and I thought it was really time that we discuss this in short simple literal facts. Facts so simple that even a Linux user can understand them (ok, that was low….sorry )

The article in question, makes several statements, feel free to read it in it’s entirety or just discuss them with me below:

Following reports that digital television viewers were blocked from recording the new season of NBC’s "Gladiators", Microsoft confirmed that it is preventing users from recording the show. They claim they were acting on behalf of NBC, and are in line with regulations set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in disrupting computer usage based upon the so-called "broadcast flag" that was transmitted alongside the show.

So-called broadcast flag? Is that like the so-called Holocaust? Believe me buddy, it’s there and it’s real. Why blame Microsoft for following the rules required to legally license the ability to play certain content on Media Center?

The argument that "free software" is the better way to go is no better than saying, "Adobe Photoshop’s is unfairly requiring you to purchase and authorize their software, the better route to go is to download it off bit torrent and steal a key to use it." Sure people do it, but does that mean that it’s the right way to go?

I will never understand these arguments. iTunes is evil and stealing music from the web is the righteous way to combat it?

The contention that Microsoft is intentionally embedding DRM into Vista for their own agenda is ridiculous. Do you think that Windows shipped without a DVD codec for so long is because Microsoft thinks you shouldn’t be watching DVDs? It’s about a incredibly huge company protecting it’s neck and not distributing software that the RIAA can use as a target for a multibillion dollar lawsuit for distributing software that is used to steal music and movies. That’s where the rubber hits the road. It’s about keeping the peace. Microsoft doesn’t stop you from recording shows for any reason other than NBC has said they don’t want you to.

Retrofitting Vista for this type of security measure is much more difficult that implementing it. Correct me if I am wrong, but if the provider isn’t setting the broadcast flag, there is no issue. Stop blaming Microsoft and point your guns at NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox and the like.

The reality of what this article is saying is:

The alternative to DRM is stealing content with open source software.

Now just to be totally clear, I hate these restrictions too. I get pissed everytime I think that of the 700+ DVDs I own, I can’t legally watch those on my computer, iPod, Zune or PSP as digital media because ripping it is not legal.

Let’s get behind the real issue and fight the problem. We all want fair use rights that work, and we need to take that up with the content providers, not the companies who make the devices or software we use to view the content.

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