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I concur with David Gerard, that DRM is at least one (of many) corners where end-users feel that they've been bitten by proprietary software vendors. Unforunately, there are *many* cases where the end user gets bitten, but either doesn't realize it, or (more likely) thinks that it's normal for "computer-stuff" to be like that.
Here are some cases that I've already seen personally (and yes, many of them are DRM). Sorry, no "list of people", but maybe it helps as inspiration for finding more?
(1) Governmental institutions: bought proprietary software from vendor XY and uses it for everyday, core functionality. At a later point in time, they are issuing a call for tender for a new feature/functionality they need, but in fact *noone* can seriously compete, because it's impossible for non-vendor XY alternatives to properly interact with their core system. Vendor-lock-in in governmental institutions is a direct loss for the tay payer. :(
(2) You cannot install version XY of program Z, because you have only have a "home" edition of Windows.
(3) A company develops hardware/software for a very specific purpose and sells it like an embedded system. It works and is known to be stable. Unfortunately one day, they're not allowed to deliver an application (e.g. OS, database, ...) anymore due to licensing restrictions (or simply end-of-life) they depend on. They are unable to sell a stable version and are forced to upgrade/switch - causing unnecessary, additional development/support costs and diminishes the reliability-quality of their product.
(4) You cannot play *any* of all your own WMAs (honestly copied from your own CD collection), because after setting up your computer again, it's lost its "key" and therefore does not believe that those WMAs are yours. Unfortunately, you've neither been told now knew that there even was such a key or DRM involved when backing up your music collection CDs.
(5) Trying to print a "printing disabled" DRMed PDF in Acrobat Reader. kpdf on the other side has DRM as option to disable ;)
(6) In a recording studio: Every band member can listen to the most recent version of a track immediately after the recording session on their MP3 player - except for those who own an MP3-Player that requires a vendor-specific application/driver to communicate with (instead of plain usb-storage). Sony- and Apple-devices are popular for that.
(7) A classic is to own original, bought content on e.g. DVD, but because of "region protection" are unable to play it on your current DVD player.
... I could go on ...
Pb
David Gerard wrote:
Any forms of DRM at all.