Library, meet DRM.

We're so busy worrying about iPods and YouTube, that we've forgotten about someone. Someone really obvious. Someone on our side.

Libraries.

The British Library told the BBC that excessive use of DRM could cause problems for the age-old establishment.

"For one, without legal exceptions for libraries, some DRM restrictions can limit their ability to lend digital media to users. Libraries currently have privileges that allow them to copy and distribute copyrighted items. But unless publishers produce unrestricted versions of digital material for libraries, they won't be able to exercise those privileges. Another concern is that, as technology advances and various software formats eventually become obsolete, copyrighted works can be lost if the technology is rendered useless before art moves into the public domain" (news.com).

The British Library plans to fully embrace digital media in the future. So on one hand, libraries should have full access to all copyrighted material without the DRM headache in order to continue what they've always been doing and still have a face in the world of the Internet. On the other hand, like Netflix, maybe they should use DRM to prevent users from obtaining a library's digital catalog and dispensing it everywhere. Users will not be purchasing this media, and therefore owning it. They are renting it. By using DRM themselves and preventing DRM from disrupting their catalog, they can prevent themselves from becoming obsolete. It's great to see libraries realizing that there is no need for them unless they jump on the digital bandwagon, especially before books become more accessible on the Internet. In the end, though, will libraries ride the wave? Or will private companies beat the libraries in the Internet race before a librarian can even utter the words, iNovel (or something clever and more general).

Netflix Streaming Video (with DRM)

When you get into Video DRM territory, things get a little sticky, especially when you delve into online rentals.

Netflix announced in January of 2007, that they plan to offer their unique system of online video rentals by June. No doubt, Blockbuster's new rental service will adopt this online streaming video rentals, as well. These two will fight to the death, and as a Netflix subscriber, I love the service, but they've got to offer Apple downloads. I will be quick to ditch my subscription, for the ability to stream my rentals. I'd prefer the Netflix service, which allows the $5.99 users to view six hours of online moving watching per month, and the $17.99 users to watch up to 18 hours online hours. It's a great concept, that seemed to be inevitable when streaming video hit the scene.

You must be thinking to yourself, here comes the DRM bashing. Yet again. But this is the only instance where I feel it's justified. Sure my animal urge wants all movies, all the time, but in this case free downloads aren't necessarily the best marketing tool yet, as it is with music. Also, until there is a free service that would work as well as an organized system like Netflix' I'm willing to accept DRM in this case. If I'm buying a DVD, it is mine to do whatever I want with it. But in the case of Netflix, I'm not buying the video, so I don't own the content on that disc. I'm accepting of the Netflix DRM as a tool for renting, not for purchasing. I'd be spending the same amount, but now I have to be hassled by going to the video store and sending out my rentals (yeah, it's not much of a pain, but the internet makes it instant and without any effort). Downloading a video can be a bitch. Often crappy quality mixed with day-long downloads just isn't practical. So, Netflix, do whatever you can now before your paid service will not stand up to the free ones. Netflix, Blockbuster: they will all be obsolete within the next ten years, but for now they provide great services and I'm willing to pay for it.