The Free Software Foundation (FSF), whose actions in the past have been been extreme, is taking an important step forward with its official anti-digital rights management (DRM) label.
The Free Software Foundation just did something that makes me want to high-five each and every one of them — they have started a “DRM Free” labeling system for digital media.
The idea is simple: DRM (which either stands for “Digital Rights Management” or “Digital Restrictions Management” depending on who you talk to) is applied to content (books, music, movies, games, etc.) in order to ensure that the person who buys that content can only utilize it via approved mechanisms (such as only being able to listen to music purchased via iTunes using Apple software).
Most people’s reaction to such DRM tends to fall somewhere between “mild annoyance” and “full on rage at this affront to humanity.”
So the fact that the Free Software Foundation is starting a program to get “DRM Free” labels on digital goods is, quite honestly, a no-brainer. And I’m not the only one who thinks so — they’ve already signed on some great publishers, including O’Reilly.
Publishers have been selling DRM-Free content for a long, long time. Heck, I’ve been selling DRM-Free comic books and software for years myself. But having an organization with the clout of the Free Software Foundation build an official labeling system is a big win for both people trying to find good, freedom-loving content, as well as for the publishers trying to find those consumers.
I haven’t always been the biggest fan of the Free Software Foundation’s actions. I’ve often felt that they focus too often on attacking others (a good example being when they organized a day for people to go down and harass the folks working at Apple Stores about Apple’s use of DRM). These sorts of actions are great at drawing press attention to an issue. But let’s be honest – who on Earth isn’t already aware of the annoyances of DRM?
So to see the FSF create this DRM-Free labeling system warms my little heart. There is nothing negative or “attack-y” here. Just a positive, productive initiative that is directly beneficial to everyone – content creators, publishers and consumers alike.
To Richard Stallman, and the rest of the crew over at the Free Software Foundation, next time we meet in person remind me that I owe you a high five. And not some pansy, weak high five either. We’re talking “leaves your hand red and stinging in an oh-so-awesome way” sort of high five.
