Digital Rights Management

1. Digital Rights Management (DRM) challenges traditional library principles

DRM does not allow such copies, unless under the DMCA the Librarian of Congress promotes such a library exception.

Core values threatened. DRM technologies fundamentally challenge libraries' core principles of information access, preservation, and privacy. By restricting how digital content can be used, shared, and preserved, DRM undermines libraries' ability to fulfill their mission of providing equitable access to information. This shift from ownership to licensing of content gives publishers unprecedented control over library collections.

First sale doctrine eroded. The first sale doctrine, which allows libraries to lend physical books without restriction, does not apply to most e-books and digital content. DRM enforces licensing terms that limit lending, prevent resale, and restrict preservation efforts. This erosion of traditional rights threatens libraries' ability to build and maintain collections that serve their communities' needs over time.

Fair use limited. DRM technologies often prevent activities that would be considered fair use for physical materials, such as making copies for research or criticism. Libraries and users must navigate complex licensing terms instead of relying on established copyright exceptions. This chilling effect on fair use undermines libraries' role in facilitating scholarship, education, and creative expression.

2. DRM technologies restrict access and use of digital content

DRM keeps track of every conceivable use, and the library becomes a business cipher advertising content rather than sharing it.

Access controls. DRM employs various technological measures to control access to digital content:

• Encryption to prevent unauthorized viewing
• User authentication requirements
• Device and platform restrictions
• Geographic limitations
• Time-based expiration of access

Usage restrictions. Once access is granted, DRM further limits how content can be used:

• Preventing copying, printing, and sharing
• Limiting the number of devices content can be accessed on
• Restricting text-to-speech functionality
• Blocking the ability to make annotations or highlights
• Controlling how long content can be accessed

Interoperability issues. DRM often ties content to specific platforms or devices, creating frustration for users and limiting libraries' ability to provide flexible access across systems. This lack of interoperability increases costs and complexity for both libraries and patrons.

3. Copyright law and DMCA provide limited protection for libraries

The DMCA makes no explicit provision for fair use with regard to the anticircumvention right itself. It provides only that fair use in the underlying work remains available if the work can be accessed.

DMCA anticircumvention provisions. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) prohibits circumventing technological measures that control access to copyrighted works, even for otherwise legal purposes. This creates tension with traditional copyright exceptions like fair use and first sale doctrine that libraries rely on.

Limited exemptions. The DMCA does provide a process for creating exemptions to the anticircumvention provisions:

• Librarian of Congress reviews and grants exemptions every three years
• Exemptions are narrowly defined and time-limited
• Process is cumbersome and struggles to keep pace with technological changes

Section 108 limitations. While Section 108 of the Copyright Act provides some specific exceptions for libraries and archives, these provisions have not been sufficiently updated to address digital preservation and access needs. Libraries must navigate a complex patchwork of exceptions that often fall short of enabling their full range of services in the digital realm.

4. DRM impacts library operations, budgets, and user satisfaction

Early functionality on the NetLibrary platform resulted in a lag time between closing a book on one computer and being able to open it on another. Thus librarians were forced to predict the possible number of uses for each book offered in the package and purchase the appropriate model.

Increased costs. DRM often results in higher costs for libraries:

• Pay-per-use models instead of outright ownership
• Need to purchase multiple copies for simultaneous access
• Licensing fees for DRM platforms and management
• Staff time for troubleshooting and user support

Workflow disruptions. Libraries must adapt workflows and staffing to manage DRM-protected content:

• Complex license negotiations and tracking
• Integration with existing library systems
• Training staff and users on multiple platforms
• Troubleshooting access issues

User frustration. DRM restrictions often lead to poor user experiences:

• Complicated authentication processes
• Inability to easily share or cite content
• Loss of annotations or bookmarks
• Inconsistent functionality across platforms
• Limited offline access

These factors can decrease usage of digital collections and undermine the perceived value of library services.

5. Privacy concerns arise from DRM tracking of user behavior

Adobe's e-book software, Digital Editions, logs every document readers add to their local library and tracks what happens with those files, essentially tracking a user's reading habits.

Data collection. DRM systems often collect detailed information about users' reading habits:

• Titles accessed and time spent reading
• Pages viewed and annotations made
• Devices and locations used for access
• Search terms and browsing patterns

Potential misuse. This wealth of personal data raises concerns about:

• Commercial exploitation of reading habits
• Government surveillance and censorship
• Breach of reader privacy by hackers or unauthorized parties
• Chilling effects on intellectual freedom

Ethical challenges. Libraries, long champions of reader privacy, face difficult choices when implementing DRM systems that conflict with their values. Balancing user privacy with publisher requirements and efficient service delivery becomes increasingly complex in the digital realm.

6. Preservation of digital content is hindered by DRM restrictions

Even when libraries own the e-books they purchase on an aggregator platform, there is currently no provision for archiving them if the aggregator goes out of business or a library chooses to end its business relationship with the particular aggregator.

Long-term access threats. DRM creates significant challenges for digital preservation:

• Content tied to specific platforms or technologies that may become obsolete
• Licensing terms that prevent creation of archival copies
• Loss of access when subscriptions end or providers go out of business
• Difficulty migrating content to new systems or formats

Cultural heritage at risk. The inability to effectively preserve DRM-protected digital content threatens future access to our cultural and intellectual heritage. Works born digital or only available in DRM-protected formats may become inaccessible to future generations.

Preservation strategies limited. Traditional preservation techniques like format migration and emulation are often prevented by DRM. Libraries and archives must develop new approaches and advocate for preservation-friendly DRM policies to ensure long-term access to digital collections.

7. Libraries must advocate for balanced DRM policies and exemptions

Libraries should not limit themselves to this status quo and should use their associations and consortia to fight back for better ways to promote the sharing of information within the limits of the copyright clause.

Collective action. Libraries can leverage their collective power through:

• Professional associations advocating for policy changes
• Consortia negotiating better licensing terms
• Partnerships with authors, publishers, and technology providers
• Public education campaigns on the impact of DRM

DMCA exemption process. Libraries should actively participate in the triennial DMCA exemption process:

• Provide evidence of DRM's negative impacts
• Propose and support exemptions that enable core library functions
• Push for broader, more flexible exemptions

Alternative models. Libraries can promote and support alternative publishing and distribution models that align with their values:

• Open access initiatives
• DRM-free e-book platforms
• Creative Commons licensing
• Community-driven digital libraries

8. Alternative models and initiatives can mitigate DRM's negative effects

Open Library retains ownership of the authorized copies of e-books on behalf of the participating libraries.

Innovative approaches. Libraries and partners are developing creative solutions to DRM challenges:

• Open Library's controlled digital lending model
• Unglue.it's crowdfunding for DRM-free e-books
• Library License for author-friendly digital distribution
• Consortia-based e-book purchasing and hosting

Open source alternatives. Libraries can support and adopt open source DRM alternatives:

• DRM-free formats and readers
• Self-hosted e-book platforms
• Blockchain-based rights management systems

User education. Libraries play a crucial role in educating users about DRM and digital rights:

• Promoting digital literacy and awareness of DRM issues
• Teaching users how to legally access and use digital content
• Advocating for user rights in the digital ecosystem

By exploring these alternatives and educating stakeholders, libraries can help shape a more open and user-friendly future for digital content.

Last updated: July 22, 2024