Digital Rights Management as Information Access Barrier
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Originally published in Progressive Librarian, Volume 34-35, p. 11-24, under a Creative Commons License
Abstract
Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a type of technological control used by information publishers and vendors to restrict use of electronic information. Librarians should be concerned about DRM because it privileges the rights of information providers to the point of infringing upon users’ fair use and other rights. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) of 1998 put commercial interests first, casting information users as potential “pirates.” DRM causes difficulties for users of library search tools, audio books, e-books and other electronic media, and for libraries and archives in the area of long-term preservation. Librarians must advocate for users’ rights to freely access and use digital information.
Suggested Citation
Puckett, J. (2010). Digital Rights Management as information access barrier. Progressive Librarian, (34-35), 11-24.