NoteDigital Rights Management (DRM) refers to access control technologies designed to limit the usage of digital media or devices. Now-familiar copy protection schemes are in place to inhibit unauthorized copies of files or media. However, DRM is favored by hardware manufacturers, publishers and copyright holders as a means whereby they can control in detail what a user can and cannot do. For example, an issuer can limit the number of copies, viewings, and which devices are suitable for transfer. DRM often depends on cryptography and on-line activation.

DRM advocates argue that copyright holders need it to prevent unauthorized duplication of their work and ensure continued revenue streams. Opponents, such as the Free Software Foundation (FSF), maintain that the use of the word "rights" is misleading and suggest that people instead use the term Digital Restrictions Management. Essentially, their position is that copyright holders are attempting to restrict use of copyrighted material in ways not covered by existing laws. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and other opponents, also consider DRM systems to be antisocial and anti-competitive practices.