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**BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA -- Tuesday, November 28, 2023 -- The Free
Software Foundation (FSF) has announced its [Defective by Design][1]
campaign's 17th annual [International Day Against DRM][2] (IDAD). It
will protest uses of [Digital Restrictions Management][3] technology's
hold over public libraries around the world, exemplified by
corporations like OverDrive and Follett Destiny. IDAD will take place
digitally and worldwide on December 8, 2023.**

[1]: [link removed]
[2]: [link removed]
[3]: [link removed]

This year, the FSF stands up for libraries everywhere with its
International Day against DRM (aka IDAD), the organization's annual
protest against [Digital Restrictions Managament (DRM)][3], which is
organized as part of the Defective by Design campaign. Anyone can join
in this year's activities, and they can learn more by going to the
Defective by Design [website][1].

This year's campaign draws attention to the ways libraries, and by
extension, their patrons, are mistreated by corporations like
OverDrive, makers of the "Libby" app that have a near monopolistic
control over digital lending in the United States. Services like
OverDrive and Follet Destiny mandate "controlled digital lending"
schemes, imposing artificial scarcity on a digital good. They also
require monthly or annual fees in order to have the privilege of
having a book or piece of media in circulation. Should the library
struggle with paying its licensing fees, like the [New York Public
Library][4], then its "access" is "rescinded."

[4]: [link removed]

"There once was a time when you could donate a book to the library to
give others in your community access to it. There once was a time when
libraries *owned* the works that they provide to the public, rather
than finding themselves trapped by unethical technology and predatory
licensing fees," said Greg Farough, campaigns manager at the FSF. "If
we want to ensure that our cultural legacy lasts, we need to focus our
attention on corporations like OverDrive, who make a living out of
leeching on libraries, which are already underfunded." Farough added,
"OverDrive's treatment of libraries -- and wrapping it in unjust
Digital Restrictions Management -- is absolutely unconscionable."

All who are interested in participating in this year's protest are
encouraged to visit the [International Day Against DRM site][2] to
learn more about how to get involved.

Now in its seventeenth year, Defective by Design has a long history of
campaigning for users' rights to control their media and the devices
they use to interact with it. Being the anti-DRM campaign of the
[FSF][5], it is inspired by the spirit and community of the global
movement for user freedom. As proprietary (i.e. "nonfree") software is
the method by which most DRM is implemented, the FSF started the
campaign in 2006 as an extension of its mission to bring freedom to
computer users.

[5]: [link removed]

The campaign's call to action is for the International Day Against
DRM, but it nevertheless encourages its supporters to speak out
against DRM in media any time they have the opportunity. Defective by
Design's organizers are inviting other organizations and individuals
to collaborate with them in their work against DRM, by contacting
<[email protected]> to discuss possible actions. The campaign
is funded by individuals who join as [FSF associate members][6] and
those who make a [one-time donation][7].

[6]: [link removed]
[7]: [link removed]

### About Defective By Design

Defective by Design is the FSF's campaign against Digital Restrictions
Management (DRM). DRM is the practice of imposing technological
restrictions that control what users can do with digital media,
creating a product that is defective by design. DRM requires the use
of proprietary software, and is a major threat to computer user
freedom. It often spies on users as well. The campaign, based at
<[link removed]>, organizes anti-DRM activists for
in-person and online actions, and challenges powerful media and
technology interests promoting DRM. Supporters can donate to the
campaign at
<[link removed]>, and
the campaign can be reached via social media at [@endDRM on
Twitter][8], and [@[email protected] on Mastodon][9].

[8]: [link removed]
[9]: [link removed]

### About the Free Software Foundation

The Free Software Foundation (FSF), founded in 1985, is dedicated to
promoting computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and
redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development and
use of free (as in freedom) software -- particularly the GNU operating
system and its GNU/Linux variants -- and free documentation for free
software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the ethical and
political issues of freedom in the use of software, and its Web sites,
located at <[link removed]> and <[link removed]>, are an
important source of information about GNU/Linux. Donations to support
the FSF's work can be made at <[link removed]>. Its
headquarters are in Boston, MA, USA.

### Media Contact

Greg Farough

Campaigns Manager
Free Software Foundation
(617) 542-5942
<[email protected]>

--
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Defective by Design is a campaign of the Free Software Foundation:

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