For many consumers, these DRM products are simply not fit for purpose – they often won't play on your DVD player, on your iPod, or permit usage that most would expect is permissible. Moreover, consumers frequently can't obtain a refund for their purchases as many retailers won't accept returns on opened CDs and DVDs and digital download services do not offer refunds to disgruntled downloaders.
The federal government might argue that this is provincial problem, since consumer protection issues typically fall under provincial jurisdiction. The reality, however, is that the federal government can and should play its part to address the issue.
Second, the government should also add a consumer awareness and education campaign to support the labelling requirements and the legislative changes. To date, Canadian Heritage has focused its copyright awareness campaigns on greater "respect" for copyright. As is well documented, the private sector has produced campaigns such as Captain Copyright. Rather than these one-sided approaches, an awareness campaign on DRM labels and the limits created by technology is needed. Not only would this help to educate the Canadian public, but it would also help promote Canadian content and culture, since Canadian record labels, who are responsible for 90 percent of new Canadian music, have generally eschwed using DRM in their releases.