How Electronic Publishers are Protecting agains Privacy: Doubts about Technical Systems of Protection

Abstract

Technical systems of copyright protection are increasingly perceived as a supplement to the law against piracy of electronic publications. Legislative reforms have been introduced to prohibit tampering with these systems. This article analyzes the methods of protection employed by a sample of UK electronic publishers, and examines their views on technological protection and the increasing prospect of digital piracy. The study finds a divergent range of instruments of protection, and technological protection is not a preferred method. It also finds that the concern with piracy is of secondary importance when compared to the need to improve the 'time of market' of their products. In conclusion, the article concludes that the adoption of technological protection systems is just a business practice.