Should DRM be labelled on packaging?

[Masquerouge]

They have, perhaps, the least obtrusive DRM and their policies actually promote a lot of things that other DRMs stymie.

As KaeptnOvi pointed out, I believe Stardock has the least obstrusive DRM.
http://uscpwned.blogspot.com/2007/03/developer-stardock-explains-no-drm.html

When Galactic Civilizations II was released with no copy protection whatsoever, some people said that we must not care about piracy. Of course we do. We worked hard on the game and hope/expect people who want it to pay for it. But there are too many times when copy protection and DRM end up hurting legitimate customers.
Stardock and TotalGaming.net don't use DRM. Our delivery program, Stardock Central, uses SSD (Secure Software Delivery) which in essence functions as a way to verify that the user downloading it is who they are (basic activation) but after that, you're done. There's no DRM, digital license, net connection, etc. needed. And even if you lose your serial #, CD, etc. no problem, the automated system will resend you everything you need in email.

A great article to read in any case

 

[GenMarshall]

Stardock and TotalGaming.net do know how to blow away their customers (It's suppost to be a good thing meaning: exceeding the customer's expectation)

 

[Zelig]

If the product requires an Internet connection to register and
then work, then it should say so on the outside of the box!

Don't most games that require an internet connection say so on the box?

The only game I have which requires an internet connection is Mass Effect, and it clearly says so on the box.

While I have no love for DRM schemes that negatively affect me or my computer, I have no problems with the system setup for Mass Effect, a single internet activation on install of the game, and on installation of any further downloadable content is far less annoying than a requirement to insert a DVD every time I want to play.

 

[Erik Mesoy]

I'm sure the User License and Agreements you have to press, "Accept" in order to install covers and details the DRMs being downloaded into your machine.

If you have a CD player that doesn't or can't play a music CD you bought because of the DRMs, take the CD back and get a refund. It's defective.

But you don't get to the EULA before you've bought it.

Since when are additional conditions attempted imposed after "purchase" valid? End User License Agreements are generally about as crappy and valid as my saying "by reading this you agree to send me a hundred dollars" unless they're specified beforehand.

 

[Moggy]

Whatever your views on piracy its surely not a good thing that legitimate customers end up with a far inferior product than those that download or buy a pirate version.

I do understand that businesses have to try and protect their products from piracy, but DRM seems to be pushing a lot of people into just getting the non-DRM pirate version (and I am looking at Spore here).

I think it would be fair to show on the box (and to show very clearly - not hidden away on the back in tiny letters) whether the product requires an internet connection to use and if the product contains DRM.

 

[Newbunkle]

I'm against DRM, but also piracy, since its nothing but simple thieving of a product that the person doesn't even need. Hopefully we'll find a better way than the current fad for rentware.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Okay, here's my stance:

1. The only copy-protection I agree with is a LICENSE KEY.
2. Companies should not charge you $ to get a new license key if you lose yours.
3. Any other form of DRM, limited installations, or internet accesss (except maybe the one-time internet activation) should be labeled in a big ugly yellow sticker, or illegal.

 

[philippe]

License keys are easy to crack you know.

 

[nihilistic]

DRM is perhaps the #1 reason why I wont want to buy Spore.

Spore was a disappointment on so many fronts.

as a statement I hereby declare every game with DRM sucks (i'm looking at you EA)

of course, valve is excempt for this.

Blizzard is pretty nice about it too. Of course it was essentially Blizzard's business model that enabled them to be that way: everyone wanted to be able to play on BNet.

 

[philippe]

Spore was a disappointment on so many fronts.



Blizzard is pretty nice about it too. Of course it was essentially Blizzard's business model that enabled them to be that way: everyone wanted to be able to play on BNet.

exactly, when a company creates a good business model and can couple it with QUALITY, any DRM issues seem to be non-existant.

for example, in the beginning days of steam, it was seen as a bunch of crap. therefor, i tried to get rid of it.

Nowadays, steam is magnificently handy. The friends system alone is really well worked out.

maybe EA is failing in this, becuase they know they are making sucky games that poeple will crack.

 

[Grisu]

License keys are easy to crack you know.

the other DRM methods haven't exactly proven to be hard to crack either...

and the fun thing is: with software that uses obtrusive DRM, the pirated version usually is actually better than the legal one....so it's the honest customers who get the short end of the stick...well done, EA & Co.

 

[illram]

The whole shrink wrap license is BS. No software store will accept returns once the shrinkwrap has been opened. Have fun trying to return your purchase to the manufacturer if you decide to click "no" before installing.

Put the EULA on the box.

 

[Erik Mesoy]

The whole shrink wrap license is BS. No software store will accept returns once the shrinkwrap has been opened. Have fun trying to return your purchase to the manufacturer if you decide to click "no" before installing.

Put the EULA on the box.

You still live in a place where EULAs are valid in spite of being BS for pretty much the reason you mentioned, they only appear after you've bought and opened the product? Poor guy.

 

[illram]

You still live in a place where EULAs are valid in spite of being BS for pretty much the reason you mentioned, they only appear after you've bought and opened the product? Poor guy.

AND I actually know how screwed I am getting when I walk up to the cashier and "buy" their crappy contract. Pity me!

 

[carmen510]

Here's my view:

1. Piracy is wrong, and there should be some copyright protection that actually works. (In other words, not DRM)

2. Copyright protection I'm alright with are license keys (They should be limited to three at a time only, but if you uninstall, one of those installs would come back), possibly online gaming service that verifies your game, maybe anti-copying protection that doesn't scan your computer and screw everything up.

3. If companies make good games, people would actually want to support them and buy them, especially if the multiplayer is excellent. (My personal motto would be: Pirate single-player, buy multi-player)

4. Offer demos, some people pirate just to try a game out.

 

[Mowque]

The whole shrink wrap license is BS. No software store will accept returns once the shrinkwrap has been opened. Have fun trying to return your purchase to the manufacturer if you decide to click "no" before installing.

Put the EULA on the box.

I've had places take software back...

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

The only time I've ever had to return software was because the CD was scratched & I needed a replacement. They were good about it.

 

[Bill3000]

1. Piracy is wrong

(My personal motto would be: Pirate single-player, buy multi-player)

...what .

 

[woody60707]

I've had places take software back...

in the US? I've looked pretty damn hard, none found. And most big retails store put big signs up that say "No returns on open software. Exchange for same item ONLY".

MAYBE if you're really lucky, you can get the main company (EA, Blizzard, ect) to refund you the money. No retail store will have that policy.

note I said policy. Crying to the manager isn't really a working return system.

 

[@N1k1T0$]

I am a Pirate Arrrrrrrrrr But i agree with this

Pirate single-player, buy multi-player