Live data from Hacker News

Keurig Will Use DRM In New Coffee Maker

techdirt.com

11–20 of 180 posts

Re: Keurig Will Use DRM In New Coffee Maker

#11
post #5

Keurig is free to do what they want, just as a consumer is free to choose whichever coffee maker they want. Maybe this will blow up in their face, or perhaps given their market share it will all work out.

This practice isn't what copyright was intended for when it was written into the constitution. The idea is that copyright is a time-limited monopoly to make money of immaterial property, it mustn't serve to lock out the secondary market for printer cartridges and coffee.

Re: Keurig Will Use DRM In New Coffee Maker

#13

I actively try to dissuade people from buying Keurig machines, or any "coffee pod" machine and this is just another reason why. Aside from the fact that the coffee is watery, the pods just add such an unnecessary amount of garbage to something that doesn't need to generate any waste. I think the concept is cool but re-usable pods are the way to go. This is stupid of Keurig.

I have a Lavazza machine from AEG. The coffee is amazing, so the pods don't bother me anymore than my printer cartridges that I can only buy from Epson. It's a hoop I jump through because the perceived value obtained is worth it.

Conversely, I drive a 3.0 CSL because I won't drive something with a chip in it that I can't control.

Re: Keurig Will Use DRM In New Coffee Maker

#14
post #5

Keurig is free to do what they want, just as a consumer is free to choose whichever coffee maker they want. Maybe this will blow up in their face, or perhaps given their market share it will all work out.

> Keurig is free to do what they want, just as a consumer is free to choose whichever coffee maker they want.

The issue isn't whether Keurig should be free to add DRM to their product or not. The issue is whether they should be able to use the law to prevent competitors from circumventing that DRM. Printer manufacturers tried a similar stunt with adding DRM to printer cartridges and suing the makers of after-market cartridges for DMCA violations.

Re: Keurig Will Use DRM In New Coffee Maker

#16
post #7

I actively try to dissuade people from buying Keurig machines, or any "coffee pod" machine and this is just another reason why. Aside from the fact that the coffee is watery, the pods just add such an unnecessary amount of garbage to something that doesn't need to generate any waste. I think the concept is cool but re-usable pods are the way to go. This is stupid of Keurig.

Other than the 2 reasons you mentioned, why else would you dissuade someone from buying one? I own one and don't mind the coffee. I agree with the garbage aspect, but for me I'd either buy a coffee everyday, or make one in the Keurig with a reusable cup. Equivalent waste in my mind (for my situation)

Waste from a traditional coffee maker is biodegradable or compostable (paper filter, coffee grinds). Coffee pods combine that with foil and plastic, to make it practically impossible to separate and dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner.

Re: Keurig Will Use DRM In New Coffee Maker

#18
Regular Coffee: Grounds inside a tin can you scoop. Depending on your process, a thin paper filter. Coffee to volume is very dense for shipping.

Pod Coffee: Single use plastic pods with a foil lid inside a plastic bag inside a cardboard box. Coffee to volume is very sparse for shipping.

The benefit of not having to use a spoon is worth all the extra trash? Now with DRM?

Re: Keurig Will Use DRM In New Coffee Maker

#19
post #9

I actively try to dissuade people from buying Keurig machines, or any "coffee pod" machine and this is just another reason why. Aside from the fact that the coffee is watery, the pods just add such an unnecessary amount of garbage to something that doesn't need to generate any waste. I think the concept is cool but re-usable pods are the way to go. This is stupid of Keurig.

I think Keurig coffee is terrible, so I've never seen one of the reusable pods. But what's the point, if you are going reusable isn't it just as easy to make a normal cup of coffee?

I've only seen 1 legitimate use for a Keurig machine. My company's office used to be on the 9th floor of a very old building (built in 1914). The plumbing is subpar and our office had no sink, despite being otherwise very nice. Having a regular coffee maker would mean cleaning it in the only restroom on our floor, which was a women's room. So we got a keurig.

Re: Keurig Will Use DRM In New Coffee Maker

#20
post #5

Keurig is free to do what they want, just as a consumer is free to choose whichever coffee maker they want. Maybe this will blow up in their face, or perhaps given their market share it will all work out.

IIRC, the EU took a different view on printers and printer cartridges. Those can no longer be 'DRMed'. I don't see why they would take a different view with coffee machines.
Post reply on HN