PDFs: Why are people anti-watermark?

[jaerdaph]

Okay, I completely understand why people are unhappy with DRM-protected PDFs. I don't buy them either.

But now I'm seeing people starting to say they won't buy watermarked PDFs. Honestly, I just don't get it. Why? It doesn't make any reasonable sense to me why people are against watermarking other than support of piracy.

Enlighten me. What do people have against watermarks?

 

[Cergorach]

Two reasons i think:
1.) It assumes guild.
2.) It's annoying.

 

[Morrus]

No reason other than a victim mentality. It doesn't infringe at all, and satisfies both parties interests.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

No reason other than a victim mentality. It doesn't infringe at all, and satisfies both parties interests.

I agree.

 

[Crothian]

Two reasons i think:
1.) It assumes guild.
2.) It's annoying.

What do you mean by it assumes guild?

And most watermarked PDFs I never even notice the watermarks. So, I don't get how its annoying either.

 

[GeorgeFields]

What do you mean by it assumes guild?

And most watermarked PDFs I never even notice the watermarks. So, I don't get how its annoying either.

I agree. Not to mention, you can brag to friends that your name is on every page of an RPG book.

 

[2WS-Steve]

Watermarks strike me as a nice compromise between customer interests and publisher concerns, and frankly I see complaints about them as unreasonably inflexible.

 

[FCWesel]

Watermarks strike me as a nice compromise between customer interests and publisher concerns, and frankly I see complaints about them as unreasonably inflexible.

I agree completely. Hell, the gamers I know write their name in their book most times. Anyone really crying about this is more then likely upset they can't 'share' it as easily.

 

[Cergorach]

Whoa! I'm not saying that i agree (nor disagree) with what i said, but that's what i think is the reason that folks don't like watermarks.

It assumes guild because the seller puts your name in there so you don't share it with others, if you do, they'll know it was you that shared it (and possibly take legal action). I think it is silly because it is pretty easy to remove.

Although I doubt any of you would accept it when Amazon or your local game store would stamp each page with your name on it.

It also makes selling the book more difficult because it has your name on it (you can sell in the same manner you can sell a physical book). Again, not that i would (because i'm a hoarder/collector and would never consider selling my books), but i can see why people get upset with watermarking...

My primary objection is aesthetics, even if it is small, it is annoying to the eye, and the reason why i tend to remove the watermarks.

 

[Lorgrom]

Excessive ink usage when you print the PDFs instead of just having your computer next to where you game so you can stop game play to pull up the file(s) your wanting to reference.