Re: Is EME usable regardless of the software/hardware I use ?

On 06/05/2013 11:14 AM, Jeff Jaffe wrote:
> 3. In terms of freedom to access content without EME - there are
> competing principles (cf blog post). 

This statement is misleading because it seems to claim that EME would
allow user's access to content, whereas the purpose of EME is to deny
users from having access to content.

This isn't a discussion about free content, or even about open vs closed
access to content or information. At the heart of this discussion is
whether or not EME is about enabling users access or whether it is about
crippling and altogether denying users access to information.

The ultimate purpose of EME is so that users do not have the means,
opportunity, or power to interact with the information being put onto
their machine. Any argument that states EME will provide users access to
content is an argument against the arguments of those in favor of EME.
Therefore, if the principled arguments in favor of EME are about denying
users access to data, then any discussion about how EME could be used to
allow user's access to data are at best disingenuous.

If the "W3C's mission is to lead the evolution of the Web -- the
universe of information accessible through networked computers," then
you should be rejecting EME on the simple grounds that the primary use
of EME and the arguments in favor of its creation are designed to deny
users access to information through networked computers.

Perhaps, one might argue on the fine point that while a person who owns
the computer may not be allowed access to the data (or control of their
machine), the networked machine itself would have access to the data.
But, such an interpretation of the mission would go against the long
term goals of the W3C, which are: superior web technology, universal web
accessibility, and responsible web application.

Lastly, I would like to point out that while the HTML Working Group may
be chartered to provide "APIs for the manipulation of linked media", it
does not mean that all such APIs are therefore aligned with the mission
of the W3C.

Received on Thursday, 6 June 2013 02:53:37 UTC