DRM - Digital Rights Management for eBooks

To use DRM or not to use DRM...that is the question. Digital Rights Management has been a hot topic since the late 90's and continues to be.

The definition according to Wikipedia,
"Digital rights management (DRM) is a generic term for access control technologies that can be used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals to impose limitations on the usage of digital content and devices. The term is used to describe any technology that inhibits uses of digital content not desired or intended by the content provider. The term does not generally refer to other forms of copy protection which can be circumvented without modifying the file or device, such as serial numbers or keyfiles. It can also refer to restrictions associated with specific instances of digital works or devices. The use of digital rights management is controversial. Proponents argue it is needed by copyright holders to prevent unauthorized duplication of their work, either to maintain artistic integrity or to ensure continued revenue streams.

Some opponents, such as the Free Software Foundation, maintain that the use of the word "rights" is misleading and suggest that people instead use the term digital restrictions management. Their position is essentially that copyright holders are restricting the use of material in ways that are beyond the scope of existing copyright laws, and should not be covered by future laws."

As an Author are you concerned that once your eBook is out there, you will no longer have control and are worried about copyright infringement? Here's a question for you; once your eBook is downloaded, if a reader enjoys it so much that they want to pass it along, how different is that from them lending their hard copy book to a friend? What about a library purchasing your hard copy book and lending it out hundreds, maybe even thousands of times?

I remember reading one eAuthor's position on this and he said, why not make a lemon into lemonade? If readers want to pass it along, let them. Make it work for you by promoting yourself within your eBook by including the website where readers can purchase your eBook or refer them back to your own website. It really depends on the level of comfort you have. DRM is still evolving and there are many DRM tools on the market, all of which cost money and have a lot of restrictions themselves. (i.e. A downloaded file may only be granted permission on one computer, causing issues for the reader if they want to transfer it to an eReader, laptop or another device to read.) DRM tools can track and limit the number of times an eBook is downloaded, so then what? I highly recommend doing your research before investing any money into something that may not ease any of your original concerns.

eCommerce is a whole new world for many Authors. I too have asked myself the DRM question and have found a level of comfort by securing my eBook in PDF with copy restrictions. I have chosen the path of trust and am just putting it out there.

Lemonade anyone?

What are your experiences with DRM?