Dan Bricklin writes a very lucid, informative article detailing some of the insidious effects that copy protection will have on preserving works for furure generations. He uses music and software as specific examples, but the theory holds true for all types of intellectual work and property. Bricklin contends that
Our new media and distribution techniques need new business models (perhaps with different intermediate players) that don’t shortchange the future. Trying to keep those old business models in place is as inappropriate as continuing to produce only 33 rpm vinyl records.
The respective industries (e.g. RIAA, MPAA, and IDSA) should take heed, although for the most part they are shortsightedly only thinking of present monetary gains. I shudder to imagine all of the works that could be lost but for the ability to maintain their existence without interference from invasive copy protection and litigation…
