DRM

Digital Rights Management (DRM) usually refers to restrictions placed on digital files in order to protect the copyrights on the material.

Often DRM is implemented to prevent piracy, especially of music and video. One problem with DRM is the unintended(or sometimes intended) side effect of preventing users from the fair use of their purchased materials.

Proponents of DRM believe technology will eventually advance to the point that it will be able to protect copyrights without inconveniencing users. Others believe that any DRM scheme will eventually be defeated by pirates, and therefore only punishes the honest.