Dear fellow Singaporeans
The Singapore GNU Group has been campaigning against Digital Rights
Management (DRM), alongside with the DefectiveByDesign campaign,
since last year. During these period of time, consumer and media
awareness of this restrictive technology has increased and
consumers have largely turned against it. Even the music industry
is contemplating dropping it, with Amazon and EMI leading the way.
Yet even against the growing anti-DRM chorus, companies like
Microsoft and Apple are promoting their proprietary software which,
aside from some new bells and whistles, and an increase in base
hardware requirements, is largely a platform for DRM, designed to
serve big media companies more than individual computer
users.
In an effort to hide the truth, these companies are hiring models
and famous TV personalities to help everyone forget just what these
companies plan next. The good news is that computer users do not
need to take this bitter pill anymore. There are now plenty of free
software alternatives available that are more secure than what
Microsoft and Apple have to offer and they respect user's rights
and freedom.
The upcoming PC Show is turning 17 next week and we want you to be
part of the party by reminding the participating companies about
computing freedom. Let them know that technologists refuse to
accept the DRM imposed on users. Join the Singapore GNU Group at
the launch of the show at Suntec City on May 31, 2007. We would be
turning up to warn consumers about the daylight theft of our
computing freedom, especially the way DRM is robbing us. The group
would be organizing actions throughout the entire show to coincide
with the sold DRM laden products. Meet with other members who are
involved in the campaign to eliminate DRM and take pictures of the
event.
We remain committed to raising awareness of the DRM's threats to
consumers and privacy rights through lawful forms of direct
actions. We urge all software freedom activist to obey the
Singapore legislation and respect the regulation of the PC
Show.
Koh Choon Lin
Executive Director
Singapore GNU Group
