[encrypted-media] Formal objection: Archiving and EME

doctorow has just created a new issue for https://github.com/w3c/encrypted-media:

== Formal objection: Archiving and EME ==
EFF has repeatedly raised the issue of archiving and EME, on-list, in calls and during the earlier covenant process. We reiterate these concerns, first published here (https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/03/interoperability-and-w3c-defending-future-present) as a formal objection:

Around the world, archives and libraries have the statutory right to make long-term copies of copyrighted works, even against the wishes of rightsholders. However, this statutory right is interfered with by the rules prohibiting breaking digital locks. Sometimes, governments grant exemptions for libraries (in the USA, the Copyright Office has granted some exemptions to the DMCA for the purposes of archiving), but these exemptions have serious defects. Most of the US exemptions, for example, expire every three years and must be renewed through a costly and cumbersome process, and only cover the right to use a tool to break the digital lock in order to make archival copies: they do not cover the right to make or share that tool, meaning every library must figure out how to make such a tool from scratch, and not share it.

If the W3C adopts the covenant permitting interoperability, it would help vendors who serve the library and archive sectors to make tools to accomplish the institutions' cultural duty by making a lawful use.

Please view or discuss this issue at https://github.com/w3c/encrypted-media/issues/377 using your GitHub account

Received on Thursday, 23 March 2017 21:07:20 UTC