The two authors who posted above in favour of DRM have apparently not read Chris’s article. He explains very succinctly why DRM fails against piracy. He also outlines the numerous negative consequences of DRM for consumers and even for society as a whole.

But if all these points are not sufficient to convince authors to oppose DRM, here’s a final one: There are many avid readers like me who ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to buy a DRM-encrypted book. So now you’re supporting a technology that (a) doesn’t stop or even slow piracy, (b) interferes with consumers’ rights, (c) runs the risk of monopolizing knowledge, and (d) scares away people who would ordinarily buy lots of books.

It’s nonsense.

I don’t know if Australia has the same laws as the US, but no matter what I’m still quite unhappy about this. It’s as if I bought a paper book, but was only allowed to read it in my lounge room. I can’t take it with me to dancing, into the kitchen, in my handbag, no where but my lounge room. Anyone would laugh if those restrictions were put on normal books, but accept it as standard for ebooks.

Okay, my behavior with eBooks. I have a kindle 3, a blackberry with kindle & nook readers, a MacbookPro and Windows computers with B&N Nook and Kindle ebook software, and acrobat reader. I read on all of these devices. I download free ebooks from B&N and Amazon whenever I have the chance. I pay little attention to the author or content. I also download free, out of print, DRM-free ebooks. When I see a particular author – either on Facebook or one of my favorites – offer an ebook for $.99, I will buy those books. Right now, I have over 500 books available on my various devices and I always have something to read. I can’t imagine EVER spending more that $2.99 for an ebook. Why? Because it feels like a rental. Because of DRM, I have no ability to share, backup, sell or gift my copy of the book. I also have no ability to use the book on the reader of my choice, I have to use the reader through which it was purchased… if I was going to read it for a second time, I know there’s a risk that title may no longer be available to me. It feels to me, as a consumer, as if it is a rental. When I purchase a hard copy book I get my own copy, with cover art, book jacket, all in color , with all the abilities to share, sell, gift.. and especially, put it up on my shelf and never worry about someone going out of business interfering with my ownership of the book.

I’m not suggesting that everyone feels or acts the way I do, I’m only displaying my actions as a consumer.

An author friend of mine wrote a book, went through all the trials and tribulations of editing, artwork, etc. only to be frustrated at the meager print book sales. While selling through the major chains, he sold less than 100 copies (counting the copies he gifted to his family). At my constant urgings he relented to allow his book be published in an eBook format – his concerns, as many artists/authors have… am I just giving my book away to the ether. We self published through Amazon & Barnes & Noble formats – due to the DRM restrictions (no format-shifting, etc.) and priced the first book at $.99. In print edition, my friend received about $23 of revenue over 2 years… which interestingly enough has just started to tick up since the release of the ebooks. In the first month, he sold over 100 ebook editions netting approximately $70. We priced book 2 at $1.99 and book 3 at $2.99. If your book is good enough to attract readers – they’ll want to read additional titles. If not, it might as well be free because no one’s going to buy it.

If I am missing the point, then please offer an alternative method to protect ‘my right’ to protect ‘my intellectual property, my hard work, my talent, my effort, and my investment’ that I may be DULY COMPENSATED for any or all the above.

My books are like my children. If I see a wart, I take care of it. If the world changes and my text is no longer accurate, I can change my teachings. But, if the book is out in the wild, for free, with no control over it, how can I change it? How can I afford to change it?

How can I make more books, when I no longer have the income to create it? Do I expect others to give me their time for free, or to make donations? Umm, no. No income source here.

I understand what people want on the internet is good content for free. However, my landlord doesn’t share that concept. He wants his rent check, on time, every month, and he’s already read my book. My grocer feels the same way, he wants money for the groceries I buy, and he doesn’t want to read my book, nor will he accept my book for payment. So I have to get income in order to eat and have a roof over my head.

I don’t have ads on my website. I find them annoying and like many people, have blocked them anyways. I wouldn’t get any money from them, so why bother. No income source there.

So I have to get a real job and sit in a cubicle all day. Income source here, but, no time for writing books.

It’s really the consumer’s choice. More books, but one gets to pay for them, or, a few books, but they’re free.