[wbs] response to 'Call for Review: HTML Media Extensions Working Group Extension'

The following answers have been successfully submitted to 'Call for Review:
HTML Media Extensions Working Group Extension' (Advisory Committee) for
Hypothes.is Project by Dan Whaley.


The reviewer's organization suggests changes to this extension, and only
supports the proposal if the changes are adopted [Formal Objection].

Additional comments about the proposal:
   The Hypothes.is Project supports EFF's proposal to add a nonaggression
covenant to the Working Group's charter. [1]  

We share the strong reservations echoed by many about the formal
incorporation of DRM into W3C standards and the unfortunate signal of
support that it sends predatory elements of the media industry. [2]  We've
also read many of the various voices of support for this initiative, and
understand at least the rationale if not the reasoning behind it. [3] [4]
Lastly, we share the concern that the proposed framework essentially punts
DRM implementations into a blackbox (the CDM) resulting in dubious gains
versus other approaches (NPAPI plugins, et al), and raises fundamental
questions about whether the whole enterprise is worth it at all. [5] [6] 

While EFF's proposal doesn't address the root concerns about endorsing DRM,
it is at least a restrained and well-meaning attempt to address some of the
worst fears of the misuse and misapplication of the proposed DRM standards.
 Sometimes such guidance is as important for its intention as it is for its
letter.

We formally object to the Working Group's extension unless its charter is
changed to incorporate the nonaggression covenant. 

[1] https://www.eff.org/pages/objection-rechartering-w3c-eme-group
[2] https://brendaneich.com/2013/10/the-bridge-of-khazad-drm/
[3]
http://adrianroselli.com/2014/01/w3c-eme-is-not-drm-nor-other-fear.html
[4] http://www.w3.org/blog/2013/10/on-encrypted-video-and-the-open-web/
[5]
https://www.w3.org/blog/2013/10/on-encrypted-video-and-the-open-web/#comment-59678
[6] http://manu.sporny.org/2013/drm-in-html5/


Answers to this questionnaire can be set and changed at
https://www.w3.org/2002/09/wbs/33280/htmlextension-2015/ until 2015-12-30.

 Regards,

 The Automatic WBS Mailer

Received on Tuesday, 29 December 2015 23:54:03 UTC