As it turns out, downloading of games, music, and movies improves the sales of the downloaded media. Downloaders use their free access to media to test drive the products before making a purchase. The most interesting part of the study, however, is that downloaders tend to spend the same on entertainment no matter. The downloading is little more than a bonus. This study puts a scientific stake through the heart of the content cartel vampire, but we all know the real reason for DRM was never about sales. It was, is, and always will be about controlling the media content itself. The guardian only makes his dollar when you have to pass through his gate. Boing Boing has the story.
Don’t forget that DRM also allows the content cartel to change the media on the fly. If they don’t like what that book says, suddenly, it can say something different. If they don’t want you to read a certain news story, suddenly it won’t show up on your device. If they want you to buy the same media again and again, you’ll wake up to discover your old purchase has expired or its format is suddenly obsolete, and thanks to DRM, you’ll have to shell out the cash rather than just transferring it over.
It was never about lost sales.