To DRM or Not to DRM

My last post on this topic.

A year later there are still issues as an actual memeber just posted implementing DRM on a site that can afford the best of everything.

My advice.

To all webmasters.

Use javascript so they cant download your images, use drm so your vids dont get stolen, design a navigation system in your site that is the same color as the background so they can't even find your content. Just fuck the customer. What is he anyways? He jsut a horny bastard that decided to give you his hard earned cash. piss him off and he may never join a site again.

i don't support DRM

jim

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Originally Posted by longboardjim

i don't support DRM

jim

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Care to elaborate?

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Originally Posted by CorbinFisher_BD

Actually, re-read Bec's post. Her thread was about asking webmasters who use DRM what their experience with it is.

Not asking webmasters how shitty they think someone else's site is on account of their DRM and letting everyone that doesn't like DRM rail on those that use it.

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That is essentially correct. As some of you may or may not know, I do some consulting work, and have several production companies in various niches that already have a DVD retail presence looking to expand into the internet with paysite properties. The decision to use or not use DRM at startup is a considerable one to make. Server needs, staff requirements, who can or can't view them, term of license decisions, initial DRM encoding costs, the list goes on ... and at the top of the list is "how do I protect a very valuable and very expensive asset?".

My needs from creating this thread is to find out from:
1. those that tried it and reverted back ...or
2. are still using it

...just what your experiences have been on a multitiude of levels, including member response, retention, download issues, cost effectiveness, perceived or actual results of having the videos protected as far as theft and broad internet exposure, staff and server requirements, etc.

My intent was not to see this as a means to attack any company using the DRM system. I'm well aware of how DRM behaves within paysites. I'm in paysites of every shape and color on a near daily basis as I do reviews for various websites.

My intent is to gather accurate information and to pass on what I learn so that my clients, and any other production companies reading this thread, can make a more informed decision about using the technology.

Bec/Corbin

I am sorry. I never meant to attack anyone.

As you know beck i tried DRM with what I considered valuable content. EXCLUSIVE videos of a hot asian boy (my bf) when we ran his own site.

It was not only to protect it on a financial level, but on a level that not everyone would get his videos all over the world. As people were downloading his pics and creating fake profiles all the time, sending them to friends on his mysapce, downlelink, and friendster account.

After implementing emials came in and customers cancelled.

And after talking to my server host, he said most that impliment usually stop as retention goes down.

A host has come on and gave an example, others have said the same.

I gave an example for a surfer experiwnce as well. That should be important. And when I mentioned the str8 boy sites I was referimg to seancody. Though in sceancody i NEVER once got an authorization error like I did in CF and another member who posted said he even in may of 2006 got the same, and even another webmaster got the same recently.

Keep in mind that on my website I spent considerable time making the cam work for the 5% of my members who surfed with a Macintosh. Those you can afford a Mac can afford to stay a member longer.

Bec, your client also needs to look at the competition. Are they using it? That may make a difference to the customer.

I will join corbin again as I see lucas has some hot videos. But based on past experiences with the site a year ago and DRM my expectations are low that I will have an enjoyable experience.

Is that what yout client wants surfers who joined before and may join again to feel?

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Originally Posted by Bec

Care to elaborate?

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from a member perspective i won't join a site that implements this technology , unless the media is comparible to DVD quality/length i don't see the need for a 3rd party if the media is "marked" and "reduced" for net.
from a marketing perspective i won't pass along media/product that i don't believe in regardless of popularity/monetary compensation.
this is just me , it probably won't make a difference to the "new" subcriber

sincerely ~ ..."send me back the pillow that you dream on"... :goof:

Bec- Any producer of original content that is not utilizing some form of DRM is making a HUGE mistake! You might as well post it for free all over the net and P2P networks, because that's where it is going to end up.

As you may know Titan is one of the most aggressive protectors of content in the industry! Has it hurt our sales or business? Not in the least! Could we pick up a few more sales is we where MAC compatible, sure, but in the end it's not worth the lose due to theft of our content.

We use MS DRM on all our online membership content without any real issues. There are a few complaints, but you will always have some complaints, but not enough to warrent a re-thinking of our use of DRM.

We actively monitor and patrol the internet and P2P networks looking for our stolen content. As a by-product of this I can see alot of what is being stolen and illegally shared across the net. By and far the biggest theft of original content is from online based producers that do not use DRM. I see thousands and thousands of videoclips from online based original content sites, especially those that do not use DRM.

I actually wonder how they stay in business with so much of their content being stolen! I am just now starting to see a lot of Pierre Fitch's original content being spread all over the net. Not just clips, but entire 30 min. scenes from his site. If I were him I would react quick or he's going to lose control of his content before he knows what hit him!

My suggestions: If it's your original content use DRM. If it's not original content and you are buying it then I would not use DRM.

Good luck!

I'm well aware of how aggresive Titan is about protecting their original content, and sincerely appreciate your taking the time to respond here today. What you've said about protecting original films makes a LOT of sense and is certainly a concern to anyone going thru the time and expense of producing content.

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Originally Posted by Titanmen

Bec- Any producer of original content that is not utilizing some form of DRM is making a HUGE mistake! You might as well post it for free all over the net and P2P networks, because that's where it is going to end up.

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All of SeanCody/CorbinFisher/and countless others that use DRM is all over there anyways.

In the plan to protect your content there is more than justing using a protection scheme.

There is the legal team as well. Titan is one if not the most agressive in protecting their content in the gay biz.

Bec,

More of your content just hit the p2p.

It's unfortunate that in a market where someone buys a DVD they feel compelled to share it with others.

The percentage of members thats actually go in with the intent of ripping you off is small. MANY may give a video they downloaded to a friend. But lets be real how many times do you jerk off to the same video? And chances are that IF they gave a video to a friend they may come to the site where the video originated and buy a membership for something new.

I will speak from a totally different perspective here.

Not as a paysite owner, not as a surfer.

I have run a link list for five years. When video sites first came up like Bait Bus and I advertised them and gave them a glowing review.

Many surfers would email and ask, Can I download the videos?

Three years later, the question became, Are the videos DRM protected?

Many of the big review sites are now stating that in their reviews.

Here's and example
http://www.thebestporn.com/review/tylersroom/

Obviously they must have gotten the same questions as I have and to many surfing on a review site with sites under the same category, it is probably a determining factor if they join.

SOME content people will pay any price and go through and hassles they MAY have encountered to see.

An example
http://www.straightcollegemen.com/joinscm.html

Ouch!

Hmmm...1.7 million DRM protected iTunes downloads last month alone and growing. Obviously alot of people are not having issues with DRM protected content or they would not be buying it. ;-)

There will always be customers that complain. The way they can protest is to not buy. If consumers want your product they will pay for it, DRM'd or not.

DRM protection is a new reality in the world of online digital content, whether you like it or not. It is not going to go away, in fact I predict it will get even stronger. If you have original and desirable content you have every right to try and protect it. And customers have every right not to buy it. ;-) It's up to the marketplace to decide.

Cheers!

For some it's fine.

But look at the straight market. How many big websites use it?

I mean five years ago when pics were the thing. Did we disable right clicks?

LOL a few sites did. :)

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Originally Posted by Titanmen

Hmmm...1.7 million DRM protected iTunes downloads last month alone and growing. Obviously alot of people are not having issues with DRM protected content or they would not be buying it. ;-)

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LOL, we are compaing apples to oranges.