Did you know that there's a killswitch in your
games
books
music
movies
apps
?
It's called DRM, and it can block your access to the things you bought.
You can still take control by choosing DRM-free sources.
Gabe Newell
Valve, (2008)
“As far as DRM goes, most DRM strategies are just dumb. The goal should be to create greater value for customers through service value (...), not by decreasing the value of a product”
Jonathan Blow
Number None, creator of Braid and The Witness (2016)
“I don't like DRM because I think people should have the freedom to own things”
Artur Maksara and Tadeusz Zieliński
Flying Wild Hog, creators of Shadow Warrior 2
“We don’t believe in DRM, and we don’t like DRM. We don’t believe it works, nor that it’s good for the players.”
Tim Schafer
Double Fine
“Wow, you can actually make a DRM-free version of your game, and make more money than if you spend millions of dollars on copy protection.”
Felipe Falanghe
Squad, creator of Kerbal Space Program
“My opinion is that DRM is an illusion. You can’t beat piracy more than you can beat an earthquake. And in the end, all DRM does is make your paying customers resent you.”
Marcin Iwiński
CD PROJEKT RED
“We cannot force people to buy things. We can only convince them to do it. We totally believe in the carrot, not in the stick.”
What is DRM?
Digital Rights Management, DRM, is a really broad term for tech that controls how, and when, digital content can be used – like your games, music, video, or books.
Games with DRM include a layer of software or code on top of what's needed to just play the game. Nowadays DRM will send your information to an online server, it could run checks to see if you touched any files, or outright refuse access unless you're logged in somewhere.
In other words, DRM is there to question what you're doing every step of the way.
Why should you care about DRM?
Because there is a killswitch built into your games. Sure, DRM might not affect you right now, but corporations hold the key and they'll only let you in as long as you can repeatedly prove ownership. As long as you're connected to the internet. As long as their DRM works without fault. As long they're still around.
So should the burden of proof be on you? Do you place your trust in someone who doesn't trust you?
What's important about DRM-free?
| DRM-FREE | DRM | |
|---|---|---|
Backup, copy, use anywhereNo one else gets a say in how you store and access your media. You bought it, you own it. |
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Access offlineDon't rely on your internet connection. If not on principle, then for stability and convenience. |
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Keep your consumer rightsDon’t hand your rights over to corporations that wouldn't trust you. Some relationships are based on trust, others on control and suspicion. |
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Support digital preservationBy choosing the right sources, you know that the content you bought will remain with you – no matter when it was created or for what hardware. |
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Lose all access, just like thatOnline ownership checks can, and do, fail. Scheduled downtime, technical issues, and corporations shutting down are just everyday facts of life. |
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Support the cause and stay informed with these initiatives:
You have options! There are numerous sources of DRM-free art and media, including:
| Music: | Bandcamp7DigitalemusicJamendo |
| Gaming: | GOG.comItchFireFlower Games |
| Books: | Project GutenbergOpenLibraWikisource |
| Video: | Moving Image ArchiveVimeo on Demand |
| Audiobooks: | Librivox |
FCK DRM is an initiative by GOG.COM to promote DRM-free art and media. If you're the owner of a 100% DRM-free source and would like to be featured here, please reach out to iwantto@fckdrm.com.