- From: David Singer <singer@apple.com>
- Date: Sun, 07 Jul 2013 08:42:08 -0700
- To: Duncan Bayne <dhgbayne@fastmail.fm>
- Cc: public-restrictedmedia@w3.org
On Jul 6, 2013, at 23:14 , Duncan Bayne <dhgbayne@fastmail.fm> wrote:
>> We encourage the growth of alternatives to the open web, and the open web
>> risks becoming relegated to mostly low-value content.
>
> Hmmm. Low-value content is another term - like "premium content" - that
> assumes a whole bunch of values up-front.
sure, I used it as a short-hand as "not the stuff that content owners think of as high-value content" (which is a tedious phrase to repeat).
>
>> So I am not sure I understand. This sounds like "since I would not want
>> to watch it, and cannot watch it because of my principles, I don't think
>> anyone should"? I doubt that's right, but what is?
>
> No, that's not right at all. Personally, I'm okay with DRM - in some
> circumstances, I think it makes sense for both parties. I happen to
> think it makes no sense whatsoever for mass-market entertainment media,
> but that's just my opinion. Clearly many others differ.
>
> What I meant was: a link to content that is not accessible by the Open
> Web is essentially meaningless in that context. It's perfectly
> reasonable for people with compatible DRM stacks to share resources by
> sharing URLs, but that hardly counts as the Open Web. In fact, it's the
> antithesis of it.
I agree it's a problem, but I don't think it's the antithesis.
As an analogy, where does the problem start here?
1) There are public spaces in San Francisco that one has to know exist, and are nowhere signposted (e.g. elevated plazas in buildings). They are 'public' but inaccessible.
2) There are private spaces that nonetheless the owners permit the public to use, free, many also un-marked.
3) There are private spaces where one has to pay to enter, but no other restrictions.
4) There are private spaces where one not only has to pay, but also comply with a dress code (which is kind-of like having the wrong 'platform').
5) There are private spaces only accessible to members of some organization, but anyone can join on payment of a fee.
6) There are private spaces only accessible to members of some organization, but joining is restricted (e.g. by invitation, or only members of some specific groups such as lawyers, or alumni of specific universities).
In all these cases the public space -- streets, and so on, give access.
The analogy sort-of breaks down here, but it's as if an alternative is to have a private 'second life' world, completely detached from public spaces.
I guess DRM is somewhat like step (4) -- you both have to pay and meet certain ('platform') requirements.
David Singer
Multimedia and Software Standards, Apple Inc.
Received on Sunday, 7 July 2013 15:42:36 UTC