Is the answer still in the machine: do publishers need digital rights management?

Has the challenge of unauthorized digital reproduction and distribution of copyright works been met by the use of so-called 'digital rights management' (DRM) technology - and what role will DRM play in publishing, including scholarly journal and learned publishing? This article explores the legal and commercial issues surrounding DRM from its analogue origins through to the latest market developments. It argues that the implementation of DRM in other media sectors provides valuable lessons to publishers. Acknowledging the practical challenges that DRM has faced, the article suggests that whilst DRM will offer an answer to 'the machine', it must form part of a flexible solution that adapts to the requirements of electronic publishing.