If you follow the world of Content Restriction and Protection, aka DRM, it’s been an interesting week.

First came the news that Universal Music are trialling DRM-free music sales. This is big news; they’re the largest music company in the world, and they’re joining EMI in removing restrictions on music sales. And, while they’re still having an icky fit with Steve Jobs and refusing to do this in iTunes, it’s still very interesting; and comes hot on the heels of some research showing that people don’t like DRM.

The slightly more hidden story is probably rather more interesting. Boing Boing reports that one company is closing its video store - with the result that “after August 15, 2007, you will no longer be able to view your purchased or rented videos.” Yes, you thought you’d bought that copy of Star Trek - but you hadn’t. And now, this company is taking it away from you.

If your local Virgin Megastores went bust, you’d still be able to play the CDs or DVDs you bought from it. Indeed, if the record label went bust, that still wouldn’t render the CD unplayable. But in the heady world of DRM purchases, this is exactly what can happen. And, as this story shows, is happening.

So, as consumers buying products with crap in them - content restriction and protection in the form of DRM - we need to be more careful than ever before. Because if the deal we’ve got is too good to be true, and the company goes pop: so does your music. This is a massive step-change. We’ve never before had to be aware of the financial health of the companies we buy entertainment products from.

Being fair on the video store company involved, they are apparently giving you your money back - at least, in vouchers for their online payment system. It’s highly unlikely that a bankrupt online video store could do that; instead, you’d just be left with useless files, and no refunds. At least, the people behind the ‘uncrackable’ DRM would tell you they’re useless files. A quick Google search would tell you otherwise.

Mind you, a quick Google search would help pay for your refund. Because the company that has closed its video store and rendered its videos unplayable… is Google.

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