Feds note gaming DRM woes: FTC to hold town hall meeting

[mindcycle]

2008 may become known as the year of digital rights management, thanks in no small part to EA's bringing the issue front and center with Spore and the ensuing backlash. These days gamers want to know what kind of DRM a game employs before they make a purchase, and for many people the inclusion of SecuROM means a lost sale. All of the sound and fury surrounding the issue has gotten the attention of the Federal Trade Commission, and the government agency is planning on holding a town hall meeting devoted to the subject of DRM on March 25.

The official page describes the meeting and its aim. "Digital rights management (DRM) refers to technologies typically used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, and copyright holders to attempt to control how consumers access and use media and entertainment content," the FTC explains. "Among other issues, the workshop will address the need to improve disclosures to consumers about DRM limitations."

You can get involved, as well. "The Commission invites interested parties to submit requests to be panelists and to recommend other topics for discussion. The requests should be submitted electronically to drmtownhall@ftc.gov by January 30, 2009....The Commission will select panelists based on their expertise and on the need to represent a range of views." If you would simply like to have your voice heard you can submit comments or original research as well. This is an excellent opportunity to make your voice heard on this matter, and to explain your feelings on the state of DRM in the gaming industry.

Too often, customers have no clear picture of what else they may be installing onto their computer when they buy a game, or how those programs could affect the day-to-day use of that computer. There is no disclosure, no accountability, and very little education going on around the issue of DRM and its related technologies.

Read the rest here: http://arstechnica.com/news.ar...town-hall-meeting.html

 

[SunnyD]

Little will come of it I'm sure. It will be a "don't do this" note from the feds, when they turn around to walk away the publishers will slip a few benjamins in their back pockets. Status quo remains.

 

[videogames101]

I'm hopeful, but doubtful, that anything real will come from this.

 

[mindcycle]

At least they're acknowledging it as a problem. I too have my doubts too though. If nothing else, it's a step in the right direction

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Little will come of it I'm sure. It will be a "don't do this" note from the feds, when they turn around to walk away the publishers will slip a few benjamins in their back pockets. Status quo remains.

In this, we are in agreement. I doubt anything meaningful will come of it, maybe it will mainstream the issue more though.

 

[reallyscrued]

This needs to be moved to a different section where it might get better exposure to forum members that have some expertise in both electronics and the law. Despite all the negativity, maybe we can actually get something good out of this?

 

[lupi]

The most I see coming from this would be some type of increased labeling requirements for publishers.

Afterall, wasn't it the feds passing that stupid digital act that spurned on much of the crap we are dealing with now.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: lupi
The most I see coming from this would be some type of increased labeling requirements for publishers.

Afterall, wasn't it the feds passing that stupid digital act that spurned on much of the crap we are dealing with now.

I think being forced to put a sticker on the game that says

"YOu don't actually own this game when you "buy" it. You're renting it, and you have limited installs. Not only that, we install background software that could really jack up your rig. It's been known to cause issues preventing people from even playing the game and could even lock the game down if you are using other "legitimate" software that we think could be used to hack the game"

would be a good thing.

I wouldn't want that plastered on a game I'm trying to "sell".

 

[mindcycle]

From what it sounds like, they will be looking into what kind of disclosures might need to be put on products containing excessive DRM. Hopefully we'll see something like the stickers they put on boxes for games rating. E, T, M, etc.. It would be great if something like that is put into effect since the publishers using stuff like activation/install limit SecuROM might think twice before using it. If only because there would be no way of hiding it any longer, but it's at least a step in the right direction.

Just goes to show that there are many people out there who are genuinely concerned about the direction DRM is going and aren't just going to blindly accept it.

I'm in the process of putting together a letter that i'll be sending to the e-mail address they list. I'm trying to figure out a good way of explaining how install limits and some online activation systems basically mean you're renting the game instead of buying it. That might be something they're already going to discuss, but you never know.

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: lupi
The most I see coming from this would be some type of increased labeling requirements for publishers.

Afterall, wasn't it the feds passing that stupid digital act that spurned on much of the crap we are dealing with now.

But even an information sticker, is an improvement. At least then people will know what kind of swindle EA is trying to put over on them. Might even cause some companies to drop excessive DRM if they have to inform consumers about it, before they purchase the software.

 

[Martimus]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Little will come of it I'm sure. It will be a "don't do this" note from the feds, when they turn around to walk away the publishers will slip a few benjamins in their back pockets. Status quo remains.

The software publishing industry isn't healthy enough to really bribe the congress with good lobbying. This is far more likely to change something than if it were about the music or film industry.

 

[Frodolives]

Oh great, the people who think allowing private sector communications monopolies is somehow "healthy deregulation that benefits the consumer" are now going to fix DRM.