Mainly the issue at interest to us here is how DRM has tried and failed over the years and how our users can still protect their data.

Here are some things we've learned over the years:

1. Locks keep honest people honest. Thus some form of a licensing mechanism is still necessary.
2. If a thief wants to break into your house and he/she is motivated enough, then they will do so.
3. It is better to spend more time improving your software then improving your locks.

New compelling versions of software are usually more enticing to a new user then stealing old versions. So keep the releases coming :).

Okay.. so let's relate this to the data that *you* own. Whether this be an MP3 file, or a newspaper that your company puts out.

We recommend investing a small amount in protecting your investments, but focus on your users and what they want. The fact is, your data may be stolen no matter what you do. It is not possible to have a 100% assurance when you share data in a public way that will be kept tightly locked down. This applies to all forms of communication, including Television. Think of a box that pirates a tv broadcast vs. software that digitally records a tv broadcast. The data can not be completely protected. So instead of worrying about it we choose to focus on our users.