Some time ago I signed an online petition banning DRM, to which I have just received a reply from the government. Well, some cluless nobody, since it's not signed and contains the following:
However, DRM does not only act as a policeman through technical protection measures, it also enables content companies to offer the consumer unprecedented choice in terms of how they consume content, and the corresponding price they wish to pay.
I'm now trying to work out how a DRM locked CD or DVD gives me "unprecedented choice" of how I "consume content". So how is a CD I can't play on my computer choice? Take it or leave it is, I suppose, choice, but not much of one. I've also yet to see a content provider give me a choice in the price; DRM locked for £5, or completely open for £10. Magnatune give a choice in the price, but then they don't DRM anything; limited catalog, but full WAV files for a good price.
The minor hope is that there are recommendations being discussed to introduce limited private copying exception for format shifting, possibly in 2008. Better late than never I suppose. The digital aage is coming, but not very quickly.