“Stealable” Digital Files?

An article by Nate Anderson published by Ars Technica outlines the idea of “stealable” digital content in place of traditional DRM.  While I recommend reading the short article, the basic idea is that all digital content would have two components – a title folder and a playkey.  The folder could be easily copied any number of times and given to anyone (family, friends, or strangers).  In order to access the content, they would also need a link to the playkey.  This key would be stored on your machine or in a central key vault.  Unlike the content, the playkey could not be copied.  The catch is that anyone who has the link to your playkey could move it from your vault to their own, and there would be no way for you to move it back (unless they sent you the link to what is now their playkey).

While it still has an element of DRM (the inability to copy the playkey, for example), I have to admit that the idea is interesting.  It’s the closest analogue I’ve heard to what happens with physical goods.  Consider lending your favorite physical DVD to someone.  Typically I only lend to family and friends; I know these people well, and I expect to get the DVD returned at a later date.  The same could be said about this playkey.  If you’re only sharing with those you trust, then there really shouldn’t be an issue.

From my own experience with technology and computers, there would need to be some way to revoke a playkey from someone you’ve shared media with.  In other words, how do you “un-share” content?  I’m assuming this would be part of the final implementation.  The owner of the playkey (whoever that may be at any given time) could revoke other shares.  Sure, the media would cease to function, but you wouldn’t be left with 50 people that all have access to this playkey.

While the concept may sound good, you have to consider the ability to crack or otherwise circumvent any digital protection scheme.  Even if something like this is implemented, I’m sure it would only be a matter of time before the playkey technology is decoded and rendered useless.  When that happens, a new version of the playkey would need to be created, and the cycle just starts all over again.  I still think the best solution is to give consumers a reason to purchase the content rather than steal borrow it from someone else.  I’m not sure I know what that reason is, and I don’t know that it’s any one thing.  Until the industries so concerned with DRM figure that out, there won’t be a solution.