British government says DRM offers consumers more choice

21 February 2007 12:57 GMT / By Amber Maitland

Responding to a petition calling for a ban on DRM, or digital copy-protection, the British government has said that DRM offers more choice to consumers.

The petition, which was signed by 1414 people online, requested that DRM be outlawed because it removed "freedom of choice" between tracks offered for download or on CDs.

"DRM does not only act as a policeman through technical protection measures, it also enables content companies to offer the consumer unprecedented choice in terms of how they consume content, and the corresponding price they wish to pay", said the response by the government.

This is in direct contrast with the stance taken by Apple CEO Steve Jobs in his open letter calling for an end for music labels to require DRM protection of their products.

"It is clear, though, that the needs and rights of consumers must also be carefully safeguarded", the government went on to say.

"It is reasonable for consumers to be informed what is actually being offered for sale, for example, and how and where the purchaser will be able to use the product, and any restrictions applied."

In short, the British government said that it did not plan to ban DRM, and indeed, enforced the rights of companies to "protect their content in this way".

Full tags

Audio, Music downloads, DRM