Something that I personally find hilarious is that DefectiveByDesign, the Anti-DRM Group that was formed last year, is getting trashed by the growing user base that actually understands some of the problems behind content protection and DRM.  This is a very good day in the world of DRM and Digg.

Here’s a few example comments from Digg about DefectiveByDesign’s upcoming Vista Launch Events in NYC.

• “So, the guys at defectivebydesign.org are going toi be the jackasses that pretend to be cool and nonconformist by going to a windows party and making fools out of themselves? Thanks, we reaaally needed to know that, couldn't have survived without it on the front page. P.S. all the info in the article is old news, no reason to digg it.”
• “Wait wait, people are pissed off because Vista supports HDCP? If I'm not mistaken, Vista has to support it in case Studio's enable the god damn feature”
• “I'll say this loudly:IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH DRM, DON'T USE MEDIA THAT USES DRM.
  At least with Windows you have the FREEDOM to decide for yourselves, unlike some operating systems I could think of.”
• “Pathetic. Apple will also include the DRM required to playback all new content that's produced and requires the ***.”
• “So what happens when media starts coming out that needs the DRM systems, either others OS will have to implement it in some way or hack a way round it which would probably be illegal.”

I’m a big fan of Digg in general, buy generally don’t spend more then five minutes reading the ignorant comments left by the users.  I’m a fan of targeted websites and blogs that can cover a subject without their user base being subjected to incorrect information and endless FUD about certain features, mainly relating to DRM.

I’m all for ending DRM that restricts fair use; however I do believe that content owners should have the right to protect their content if they want to.  The problem is that we need to get to the point where this can happen.  AACS in HD DVD and Blu-ray is a good first step, with the concept of Managed Copy.  It’s not perfect by any means (I shouldn’t have to pay for a copy of the media I already purchased) but it’s a good first step.

DefectiveByDesign needs to understand that if they want to help, they need to actually go after the people that matter.  Microsoft is not who they should be going after.  Stage your foolishness at the MPAA, collectivity “Hollywood.”  They are the reason that Microsoft has to waste millions of dollars developing the framework to allow users to actually play this media.  Feel free to attack Microsoft for the stupid things they do, like locking their Zune DRM out from PlaysForSure.  Attack Apple for not licensing FairPlay.  Attack the record labels (RIAA) for requiring Microsoft, Apple, and others to develop their sort of protection framework.  Actually attack the companies that are the problem, attack the root of the problem.

Of course, there are still loads of users that comment the other way, but they seem to be increasing getting corrected by those who get it.

DefectiveByDesign is not helping anything, all they are doing to making fools of themselves.