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Ever tried to play a game or use software, only to be locked out because of some ridiculous DRM? Maybe it was a slow internet connection or an outdated key—and suddenly, you're staring at an error message instead of enjoying your purchase.
Now, imagine you’re a business trying to protect your digital products from piracy, but you’re stuck with the same headaches that annoy your customers.
That’s what a rights management software is about.
It’s all about protecting your work from piracy but—when done right—without creating barriers for your users.
Sounds easy, right? Not always. Getting RMS right can be tricky, but in this article, we’ll break down exactly what RMS does for your business, why you need it, and how to make it work for you.
Stick with us!
Rights management software doesn’t have the best reputation. Especially among gamers—many of whom would gladly call it The Devil.
Take The Sims 4, for example. Ever tried playing it offline? You couldn’t.
At least not until someone figured out how to crack the DRM—stripping away the game’s built-in protections so it could run without an ownership check.
That’s the whole point of rights management software: Controlling who can access digital content and how they use it.
Gamers may see it as an inconvenience, but for creators and businesses, rights management software is a lifeline.
It’s what ensures artists, developers, and companies actually get paid for their work.
Love it or hate it, rights management software is what keeps digital content from becoming a free-for-all.
And in a world where piracy costs industries billions each year, that’s a fight companies can’t afford to lose.
Now we get to the million-dollar question, which is: Why does your business need rights management software? What are its actual benefits?
Well, think of it as a digital lock for intellectual property. It’s how your business makes sure its content—whether that’s music, movies, eBooks, or software—doesn’t get copied, shared, or accessed without permission.
Because a single leaked file? It can spread like wildfire.
And that’s not just bad for profits—it's a legal and security nightmare too.
Ultimately, businesses use rights management software to:
Prevent piracy—For example, in the film industry alone, digital piracy costs an estimated $29 billion annually. That’s why all big streaming platforms use DRM to stop unauthorized downloads and streaming, and that’s why services like Netflix don’t allow you to download and keep movies.
Protect sensitive data—Companies also lock down trade secrets, contracts, and internal documents to prevent leaks. DRM tools are great because they let businesses track who accessed a file and even revoke access remotely.
Control usage rights—Just because someone buys digital content doesn’t mean they own it. That’s why Kindle books can’t be resold and why Photoshop subscriptions stop working the moment you cancel.
Enforce licensing agreements—Software companies use DRM to prevent unauthorized installations. Microsoft Office, for example, checks online to make sure you’re not running one license on ten computers.
So, if your business creates or relies on digital content, you have to have rights management software.
Because once your content is out in the open, getting it back under control is nearly impossible.
To be honest, rights management software is essential in some industries—but in others? It’s not nearly as crucial as it once was.
Let’s start with the industries where DRM is absolutely non-negotiable. The entertainment and media sectors top the list.
Movies, music, eBooks, and games are prime targets for piracy. Without DRM, the industry would lose billions.
Companies like FADEL, which specialize in rights and royalty management for media, entertainment, and publishing, play a pivotal role here. They help these industries manage and monetize content rights effectively—guaranteeing compliance with licensing agreements and maximizing revenue streams.
Software companies also rely on DRM to protect their products. Major players like Adobe and Microsoft make sure their programs, like Photoshop, only work with an active subscription.
Publishing and education are similar—textbooks and research papers are some of the most pirated digital products. Without DRM, one PDF could replace thousands of sales, so publishers lock content down to protect their revenue.
And finally, there are businesses and law firms, which use DRM to secure sensitive documents, contracts, and financial records. Without it, leaks could lead to significant risks.
But in some industries, DRM isn’t as important. The music industry, for example, isn’t as reliant on it anymore.
When iTunes locked every song, it was a big deal. But streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music have made piracy less of a threat. People are subscribing, and DRM isn’t as crucial.
Many independent artists and game developers are also moving away from DRM. Some have even removed it altogether. Why?
Because making content more accessible can actually generate more revenue than locking it down. Some game developers found DRM annoyed paying customers more than it stopped pirates. In these cases, ease of access often wins out over strict control.
In the end, it all comes down to the balance between control, accessibility, and how much each industry values protecting their digital content.
The thing is, rights management software is supposed to protect your content from piracy, but it often ends up frustrating the very users it's meant to protect.
For instance, do you remember SimCity 5’s disastrous launch? The game required a constant internet connection to authenticate, and with servers overloaded, users couldn’t even play the game they paid for.
Because over 95% of servers were tied up with DRM.
The solution is clear now—platforms like Steam switched to DRM that doesn’t require constant online access, ensuring users can enjoy their purchases without hassle.
There's also the fact that the more complex the DRM, the higher the chances it’ll frustrate users.
Losing a codewheel, a dongle, or a key can make software completely useless, so a solution may be in opting for a simpler, lightweight DRM.
Another challenge is that, ironically, many legitimate buyers crack their own software to bypass clunky DRM. Ultimately, the frustration of endless authentication drives them to find easier alternatives.
One solution would be to streamline the user experience. Again, think Steam—multiple device access with minimal re-authentication. Reward legitimate users with perks like updates or bonuses.
Because when users feel valued, they’re less likely to pirate.
Finally, restrictive DRM can lock users out of their own purchases. For example, Adobe’s DRM sometimes prevents users from transferring books across devices.
A solution to this issue would be to use flexible DRM. Let users transfer across devices or access offline.
Support goes a long way too—help users fix DRM issues fast, and they’ll appreciate it.
