Digital rights management and access to information in archives, libraries and museums

Abstract

Research has shown that DRMs (Digital Rights Management Systems) tend to protect the right holders at the expense of information consumers. There is widespread concern amongst consumer advocates that while DRMs are poor at preventing commercial copying, they are good at restricting consumer use thereby denying them their right to information. This article will specifically look at why creators of digital works insist on DRMs, the effect of DRMs on the public domain and privacy and finally discuss how information professionals such as librarians, archivists and record managers can help in ensuring that DRMs are well managed by coming up with balanced national laws.