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The way to combat lock in as a consumer is to negotiate a good deal for yourself before you sign up and get locked in - according to Varian and Shapiro, whose book he cites.

> Economists Carl Shapiro and Hal Varian even proved that the value of a software company is the total lock-in

How much lock-in does your start-up have?

Does lock-in include FUD? Does FUD include providing the best service?

I worked for a company which was insanely profitable but it had almost no lock-in. However, the boss took it as a personal affront if you didn't have success with the product that he designed. Therefore, it was widely regarded that you'd have most success if you bought from that company.

Friends don't let friends do DRM.

I agree with one exception, DRM that is designed to keep a company's trade secrets secret. Encountered a few startups building DRM for that purpose and I have to say that I don't find it offensive.

Data leakage is a serious problem for many companies and DRMing its key data is a good solution.

Although it is technologically impossible to create a bullet proof DRM and DRM as a whole is a rotten concept, at least these things can be "fool" proof and prevent accidental leakage.

Schneier on lock-in