Public Knowledge recently filed comments with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) highlighting the adverse impact of the use of DRM technologies on consumers. Our comment focused on three areas: frustration of consumer expectations, constraining consumer's rights under copyright law, and the use of DRM for anti-competitive purposes.
In view of incidents such as the Sony Rootkit scandal and the Spore incident where DRM was installed on consumers' computer without their knowledge and used to subvert their control, we are suggesting that the FTC put in place a standardized labeling scheme.
We are also hopeful that the agency will recommend further changes to the anti-circumvention provisions of the DMCA so that its harmful effects on consumers will be mitigated. The FTC plans to hold hearings on the issue in Seattle on March 25, 2009. The event is free to the public and will be webcast. Be sure to watch this important event.
Public Knowledge's comment can be found here.