DRM is an abbreviation for a lock put on digital files called “Digital Rights Management”.

If you have ever purchased a song file from Apple’s iTunes store, you have experienced DRM in that those files can only be played by the account that purchased them.  Also, the vast majority of their songs can only be played on their own iPod digital players, meaning they are locked to particular devices.

DRM was created as a way to combat the amount of online piracy going on over the Internet, but at the same time it restricts how a consumer can enjoy their legally purchased files.  Files purchased to play on an iPod won’t play on a player produced by Microsoft, and vice-versa.  Due to continuing pressure from consumers to use files as they see fit, there are movements from companies to start freeing up more and more of the files so that you can use them any way you choose.

Everyone at StarterTech always tries to be very neutral in our coverage of all technology, but this is one subject we firmly believe in.  To be blunt, DRM should not exist.  When a consumer purchases something in a legal fashion, they should be left to enjoy it for personal use in any way they see fit.  Essentially this exists only because it can.  Imagine if you purchased a car and were told you could only drive it on certain roads, you wouldn’t be very happy, and this is exactly what DRM does.

Whenever possible, we highly recommend you support DRM-free alternatives.