Digital Rights Management its Consumer Concerns

Abstract

With the advent of e-technology, almost everything we do or live off is digital. But this huge expansion of digital world had an evil concomitant in the form of theft and piracy. To combat piracy companies introduced Digital Rights Management or DRM but this also has severe side effects, consumer inconvenience being the most notable amongst them. Also, DRM technologies have hindered consumers to enjoy their basic consumer rights and have restricted traditional usages (like copying, sharing). This paper analyzes the problems faced from the points of view of both copyright holders, which introduces DRM and the consumers. We also have discussed the need of DRM as well as the extent to which consumer rights are significantly affected by its introduction. Further we have attempted to provide a solution which can take care of both sides to great extent.