The "Cube" 3D printer was designed with DRM: it won't accept
third-party printing materials. It is the Keurig of printers. Now it
is being discontinued, which means that eventually
authorized
materials won't be available and the printers may become unusable.
With a printer that gets the
Respects
Your Freedom, this problem would not even be a remote possibility.
How pitiful that the author of that article says that there was
"nothing wrong" with designing the device to restrict users in the
first place. This is like putting a "cheat me and mistreat me" sign
on your chest. We should know better: we should condemn all companies
that take advantage of people like him. Indeed, it is the acceptance
of their unjust practice that teaches people to be doormats.
The proper response to DRM is:
- Step 1, "I don't buy anything designed
to mistreat me — take your nasty product and
flush it down the toilet."
- Step 2,
repeal the DMCA.
- Step 3, make DRM a crime.