Today libraries & various consortia are spending huge amounts of money in procuring online version rather than traditional print material. It is getting more and more popular thanks to user communities who have been requesting and demanding these resources. The popularity is visible due to simplified searching modes, easy access & 24 x 7 availability of the scholarly content.
While organizations are subscribing to resources, Digital Rights Management is one of the key areas demanding more attention.
Quick look at what is Digital Rights Management:
Digital rights management (DRM) is a systematic approach to copyright protection for digital media. The purpose of DRM is to prevent unauthorized redistribution of digital media and restrict the ways consumers can copy content they've purchased. DRM products were developed in response to the rapid increase in online piracy of commercially marketed material, which proliferated through the widespread use of peer-to-peer file exchange programs. Typically DRM is implemented by embedding code that prevents copying, specifies a time period in which the content can be accessed or limits the number of devices the media can be installed on.
Although copyright laws protect digital content, policing the Web and catching law-breakers is very difficult. DRM technology focuses on making it impossible to steal content in the first place, a more efficient approach to the problem than the hit-and-miss strategies aimed at apprehending online poachers after the fact. (http://searchcio.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid182_gci493373,00.html)
The definition is based on protection of the content, however an end user, subscribing to these resources must understand the salient features that have direct impact on the library collection:
1. Publishers Business model for the selected online product
2. Archival rights
3. Access policy
4. Maintenance and platform fees
5. Impact of merger or acquisition on your subscription rights
Clarity on these points would be very helpful on deciding the resource, value, and long-term objective.
I invite your views or questions and shall be looking forward to your contribution.
Rajesh
