smoku | # 301 | 2010-05-26, 07:56 | Report

[Digital rights management (DRM) is a generic term for access control technologies that can be used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals to impose limitations on the usage of digital content and devices. The term is used to describe any technology that inhibits uses of digital content not desired or intended by the content provider. The term does not generally refer to other forms of copy protection which can be circumvented without modifying the file or device, such as serial numbers or keyfiles.

If you're unable to read the sentence to the end, I guess continuing the discussion is pointless.

attila77 | # 302 | 2010-05-26, 08:19 | Report

They were unable to limit the usage of their digital content so they pulled the plug until a better solution is found. I do not understand how that sentence is different from the aspect of the particular case we’re talking about, so I guess the discussion IS pointless.

Joorin | # 303 | 2010-05-26, 08:31 | Report

We have almost gone full circle now but I just have to point out a few things:

The game you guys are talking about was already produced, done, finished and packaged for end users. DRM or no DRM, the production was done and "the lack of DRM" in the OVI store didn't have any affect on the production of the game. Distribution, on the other hand, is affected.

I started this sub-thread by asking how production is affected by "the lack of DRM" and so far this has all been about distribution. I think we can all agree on DRM being there to make sure that only the customer and no-one else can, in this case, play the game and that's the only thing I'm talking about.

If the software companies aren't up for adjusting their market models to fit micro purchases online, they will be the losers. While the rigid companies get pushed out by the companies that do adjust, we as customers either won't get the software we want, and will pay for, or we have to make do with what the competitors offer.

So, if the OVI store doesn't match how some game developer wants to do business on account of usage control, it's a matter of "lack of DRM" affecting distribution. Nothing else.

ysss | # 304 | 2010-05-26, 09:02 | Report

DRM hearts nobody, period.

But until there's a better way to reduce rampant uncontrolled distribution of contents, then content producers will still settle on DRM.

attila77 | # 305 | 2010-05-26, 09:12 | Report

It will be difficult to come up with solid numbers with regard to effect on production (hard to measure how many things do NOT exist). My assertion was is if DRM (or whatever you call it ) can affect the availability of technically done and good to go projects, it certainly can and will affect projects in the planning/porting phase.

ysss | # 306 | 2010-05-26, 09:17 | Report

Yeah. There are plenty of variables that affect the effect of DRM toward a certain product too (sales region, type of software, market segment, platform distribution system, etc).

But what I know is if there is an easily obtainable copy online of your system, for free, then you will definitely lose some potential sales over that. Whether the 'free publication' you get out of that free, unauthorized, distribution makes up any positive gains in the future in anyway, no one will ever know. I'd say: many of the future distribution of the product will most likely be based on the free, unauthorized & uncontrolled copies out there anyway.

Dave999 | # 307 | 2010-05-26, 10:21 | Report

will be intressting to see the pricing. Expect 3 to 5 times the price compared to I fart store.

smoku | # 308 | 2010-05-26, 15:20 | Report

Aw crap...
Seems it has a long road before commercial release.
I'm not sure whether I want to put additional effort to jump those obstacles...


Another answer to OP question...

ndi | # 309 | 2010-05-26, 18:26 | Report

Well, to add 2 (more) cents to this, DRM is, to me, the last cry of a dieing business model. The same happened to many other mediums, forms, goods, whatever.

Many businesses have failed through time as the stuff they sold became either outdated, uncontrollable, free, etc. Free exchange of information will never die, and, as a result, a company either comes up with a better business model or die with the old.

There are many people out there making money off free or easily pirated software.

I doubt DRM is going to make or break OVI, Nokia or 3rd party developers. I believe pricing and distribution could.

I am not going to dpkg -i angrybirds extra levels for 3 bucks. Maybe that's just me. But there are games out there selling half a million copies with zero protection. SOASE has a 500% ROI.

digitalsurgeon | # 310 | 2010-06-13, 00:02 | Report

what do you guys think if I port this app.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITbPCA3EIJ4

basically the idea was to download wallpapers from flickr.
I have it working on Symbian^3 and also on N900. Need to do some packaging before i release it to extras-devel