Similarities.org: “Starforce is a controversial copy-protection system. Reports about destroyed CD ROM devices, unstable or slower-running Windows systems after installing a video game (even after it was removed!), and corrupted drivers as a possible result of Starforce, have made many computer gamers wary of this copy protection technology. There are also many reports from customers that say that Starforce-protected games refuse to work at all with various DVD/CD drives and notebooks.”

Apparently unsatisfied with ruining the CD music experience with bad technology, Big Media seems to be setting its sights on protecting their collective assets in the gaming space – by deploying more bad technology. Copy-protection technology is notorious for making discs unplayable, hiding malware on your PC and bestowing extra-legal rights to copyright holders that completely ignore the few rights that consumers do have. Big Media seems keen to inflict these same abuses on gaming enthusiasts. Starforce, a particularly aggressive tool, appears to be the latest cause of headaches for the Pacman crowd.

Copy-protection schemes have been around forever – and for roughly the same period of time, they’ve been found to be lacking. In 20 years, DRM technology has been unable to stop piracy, or even slow it down. Ignoring the fact that DRM is essentially an unworkable proposition, Big Media is stepping up its efforts with more complicated schemes that have a direct and measurable impact far beyond the scope of control that any law in any land grants copyright holders. Neither Ubisoft, nor Sony, nor any member of the Big Media coagulate have any legal right to do what they are doing. Unfortunately, there are any number of laws that seem to be explicitly designed to prevent consumers from protecting themselves against the technology abuses being perpetrated by these companies.

Sony can install a root-kit on my PC, but I can’t deploy software to prevent them from doing so – don’t want to violate the DMCA after all. Remember DeCSS? By upholding the DMCA, the courts have removed a substantial set of consumer rights designed to protect private property and security of person – in the name of ensuring that Big Media gets to take their buckets of royalties home without interference from ne’er do well consumers. (More ironic is the notion that the same country that preserves an individual’s right to buy handguns and liquor at the local 7–11 decided that a “conduct only” approach to copyright law was insufficient. In other words, making it illegal to steal isn’t sufficient – the tools that help people steal were made illegal as well).

I want my government help me take a stand on this issue. Content producers need access to a market that ensures that they derive benefit from their works. No $$$, no content. Artists need to eat and all that. I have no issue with current laws designed to ensure that Artists get paid. These laws need a balancing force though. I would like to see the Canadian government implement a series of consumer protection laws that guarantee me my rights under the copyright act.

For instance, Canada’s copyright law gives me the right to make copies of musical works for personal use;

80. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the act of reproducing all or any substantial part of

(a) a musical work embodied in a sound recording,

(b) a performer's performance of a musical work embodied in a sound recording, or

(c) a sound recording in which a musical work, or a performer's performance of a musical work, is embodied

onto an audio recording medium for the private use of the person who makes the copy does not constitute an infringement of the copyright in the musical work, the performer's performance or the sound recording.

Canada needs make it illegal for a third party to prevent me from exercising this right. After all, Canadians are paying a levy on blank media to accomodate these rights. Does Big Media actually expect us to pay for the right without exercising it?

Consumers and copyright holder each have a very distinct set of rights. Now we just need some digital rights management technology to help us enforce them – or some well crafted laws.