Alan Cox Files DRM Patent

Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology is a method of content protection that can limit the use of content to specific platforms, devices or other such methods as deemed by the content manufacturer. The practice has been widely scrutinized as of late, specifically in terms of digital music. I just wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't start off the week with another piece about the content debacle that is Digital Rights Management. Alan Cox, developer of the Linux Kernel, has filed a patent application seeking to obtain ownership of DRM, and all the technologies surrounding it. Taken from the patent abstract, Cox asserts the origins of DRM and post speculates on the nature of the filing: [I]f this patent is granted it is likely that they will choose not to license this technology, and instead, sue for any use of it as a defense of OSS. So the hope here is that Cox will obtain rights to license the technology, and then stick it to anyone currently making use of it in an attempt to destroy the ridiculous practice altogether. Now that's music to my ears. Add to Del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit | Furl Joe is a staff writer for latest ebusiness news