Defective by Design

JoshuaGay's blog

Tor/Forge to drop DRM from ebooks; cite pressure from readers

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Tue, 2012-04-24 16:24

The largest science fiction publisher in the world, Tom Doherty Associates (whose labels include Tor, Forge, Orb, and Starscape books) announced on Tuesday, April 24th, that "by early July 2012, their entire list of e-books will be available DRM-free."

Continue reading 'Tor/Forge to drop DRM from ebooks; cite pressure from readers'.

Anobii CEO urges publishers to drop DRM on ebooks

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Thu, 2012-02-02 13:11

Speaking at the Digital Book World Conference in New York last week, Matteo Berlucchi, CEO of Anobii, urged major book publishers to abandon their use of DRM on ebooks. HarperCollins, Penguin, and Random House each have a stake in the ebook retail and social networking company based in the UK.

Continue reading 'Anobii CEO urges publishers to drop DRM on ebooks'.

Cyber Monday Shopping Guide

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Mon, 2011-11-28 12:00

Thinking of doing some holiday shopping? We hope that when purchasing for loved ones and friends that you'll consider avoiding companies and products designed to restrict freedom and consider supporting companies and organizations that defend freedom.

To help you make informed shopping decision and to avoid products that are defective by design, we've put together a short 2011 Holiday Buying Guide. We will be updating the guide throughout the holiday season, so please keep coming back for new tips and suggestions.

Continue reading 'Cyber Monday Shopping Guide'.

Holding Nintendo Accountable

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Mon, 2011-06-06 14:43

Castle of bricks

Over a period of 10 days, 138 people from twenty different countries made donations of $10 or more in order to send Nintendo's President and COO, Reggie Fils-Aime, a total of 220 bricks.

Continue reading 'Holding Nintendo Accountable'.

Highlights from the 2011 Day Against DRM

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Fri, 2011-05-27 15:50

This year's Day Against DRM on May 4th was an overall success. Thanks to all of you who participated! Some of the highlights include:

14 blog posts in 4 languages — it was especially nice to see our friends over at Creative Commons joining us in the celebration.

Continue reading ' Highlights from the 2011 Day Against DRM'.

Outcry leads to 200 bricks ordered and reprehensible Nintendo response

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Fri, 2011-05-20 16:01

Reggie Fils-Aime In a little over a week, we surpassed our goal of taking 200 brick orders for Nintendo, to protest their claim that they have the right to "brick" (disable) users' devices when used outside of Nintendo's outrageous Terms of Service.

Continue reading 'Outcry leads to 200 bricks ordered and reprehensible Nintendo response'.

Update: Over 200 bricks ordered for Nintendo, we reached our goal!

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Fri, 2011-05-13 15:40

UPDATE: We surpassed our goal of 200 bricks! But, if you would still like to place an order, it is not too late. So, order your brick now.

So far, Defective by Design supporters have ordered 70 bricks 150 over 200 bricks to send to Nintendo's President and COO, Reggie Fils-Aime.

Here are some quick and easy ways you can help!

Continue reading 'Update: Over 200 bricks ordered for Nintendo, we reached our goal!'.

Mura Nintendo prima che murino te.

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Wed, 2011-05-11 09:45

Mura Nintendo prima che murino te.

Il Nintendo 3DS ha una licenza di utilizzo che non dovrebbe essere accettata. Infatti le condizioni sono cosi' incredibili che ne abbiamo incluso un riassunto piu' dettagliato in una pagina a parte. Per far rispettare la licenza d'uso, Nintendo utilizza la Gestione delle Restrizioni Digitali (DRM). La combinazione di restrizioni tecnologiche e legali rende il Nintendo 3DS dubbio, subdolo e difettoso.

Continue reading 'Mura Nintendo prima che murino te. '.

Tell Reggie Fils-Aime that the Nintendo 3DS is dubious, devious, and defective.

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Mon, 2011-05-09 09:25

UPDATE: We surpassed our goal of 200 bricks! But, if you would still like to place an order, it is not too late. So, order your brick now.

Brick Nintendo before they brick you!

Continue reading 'Tell Reggie Fils-Aime that the Nintendo 3DS is dubious, devious, and defective. '.

Wednesday May 4th: Day Against DRM just two days away (Italian)

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Tue, 2011-05-03 13:34

Il 2011 e' stato un brutto anno per il DRM. Sony sta usando azioni legali per molestare e intimidire individui che modificano le loro PS3. Le librerie stanno per essere rimpiazzate da compagnie come Amazon e Apple che cercano di controllare l'accesso ai libri e monitorare chi legge cosa e dove. Abbiamo bisogno di inviare un messaggio chiaro: No al DRM!

Continue reading 'Wednesday May 4th: Day Against DRM just two days away (Italian)'.

Apology Not Accepted; Sony Boycott Remains

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Tue, 2011-05-03 11:54

Apology not accepted

In mid-April, Sony's PlayStation Network servers were compromised and over 77 million customers had their personal data exposed. Two weeks after Sony learned of the breach, they issued a public apology. As part of this, they also are offering a bribe they are calling the "welcome back" program.

Continue reading 'Apology Not Accepted; Sony Boycott Remains'.

Day Against DRM - Two Days Away

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Mon, 2011-05-02 13:42

May 4th, 2011: Day Against DRM

Clear your schedule for a worldwide day of action against DRM. On Wednesday, May 4th, we will be taking action to raise the stakes and increase awareness about the threats of Digital Restrictions Management -- in a very significant way!

Continue reading 'Day Against DRM - Two Days Away'.

Librarians Against DRM

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Thu, 2011-03-31 15:16

Sign-up! May 4th, 2011 Day Against DRM

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Tue, 2011-03-08 09:15

Wednesday May 4, 2011 will be the third annual international Day Against DRM.

Continue reading 'Sign-up! May 4th, 2011 Day Against DRM'.

Zuneral commemorates the death of DRM

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Fri, 2008-05-23 14:34

Take action: Digg the invitation, attend the Zuneral.

Harvard Free Culture has entombed an iPod and a Zune in cement in preparation for a Zuneral, to commemorate the death of Digital Restrictions Management.

Continue reading 'Zuneral commemorates the death of DRM'.

Boycott Windows Media Center

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Tue, 2008-05-20 14:41

    Take action:
  • Digg the BadVista.org blog post.
  • Boycott Windows Media Center!

Microsoft is using DRM to prevent users from saving certain television shows to their hard drive. Saving such streams is a normal feature that comes with Windows Media Center, but they have locked you out of

Continue reading 'Boycott Windows Media Center'.

Libraries: Eliminate DRM!

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Thu, 2008-05-08 15:05

Help improve our Guide to DRM-free living

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Tue, 2008-04-08 14:14

    Take action:
  • Submit new sites for our Guide to DRM-free living.

Over the past eighteen months, the music industry has almost universally turned its back on Digital Restrictions Management. Major distributors like Amazon.com are marketing their music as "DRM-free MP3 music downloads." and companies like emusic.com are continuing to

Continue reading 'Help improve our Guide to DRM-free living'.

U.S. Patent law is defective by design

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Thu, 2008-02-28 10:41

Take action:

  • Digg the Arstechnica story.
  • Visit the ESP site

Continue reading 'U.S. Patent law is defective by design'.

Library Action: Good news on a cold day

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Tue, 2008-02-12 09:28

Don't let the EU sanction DRM

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Fri, 2008-01-04 15:12

Action alert: Don't let the EU sanction DRM

Another nasty DRM surprise from Netflix

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Thu, 2008-01-03 14:56

Netflix DRM won't stream to HDD

When you buy into DRM technology, you put control over your computer in someone else's hands. This guarantees that unpredictable and unpleasant things will happen. Those with the DRM keys can decide that you no longer have the right to access the media you bought unless you agree to some new terms or buy some new tech, like Major League Baseball and Google Video have both done recently.

Topic:  drm netflix hdd

Continue reading 'Another nasty DRM surprise from Netflix'.

Don't let DRM get between you and a good book

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Thu, 2007-12-20 07:57

DRM locks ebooks

Continue reading 'Don't let DRM get between you and a good book'.

Together we are Fighting DRM

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Fri, 2007-12-14 08:36

Defective By Design Takes Action

Continue reading 'Together we are Fighting DRM'.

The Kindle Swindle

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Wed, 2007-12-12 07:36


Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com - Photo by O'Reilly at Flickr

. Tag the Kindle and Kindle ebooks on Amazon.

Continue reading 'The Kindle Swindle'.

Tell Netflix: No DRM

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Tue, 2007-10-16 08:52

If you subscribe to Netflix, here's an easy way to let them know that you will not be using their DRM download service. All you need to do is...

Continue reading 'Tell Netflix: No DRM'.

For Sale: Unbroken Car

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Thu, 2007-10-04 14:58

Imagine a used car salesman putting up big signs advertising "unbroken cars." That's exactly what Wal-Mart, Amazon, and Microsoft are doing. Their marketing campaigns are based on the fact that their music is DRM-free. Wow, thanks, you've caught up to the gramophone. Not only are you going to sell me the music I'm paying for, but you aren't even going to wrap it up in technology that is defective by design.

Continue reading 'For Sale: Unbroken Car'.

BBC iPlayer Protests

Submitted by JoshuaGay on Thu, 2007-08-02 09:40

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