Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
> __/ [ Mark Kent ] on Saturday 10 February 2007 07:58 \__
>
>> [H]omer <spam@xxxxxxx> espoused:
>>> Multi-platform streaming protected content, eventually:
>>>
>>> .----
>>>| The technology required to use this streaming service is expected to
>>>| be a minimum of Windows 98 and Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 or
>>>| RealPlayer.
>>
>> RealPlayer is not so bad as it works on many platforms.
>>
>>>|
>>>| In respect of the seven-day catch-up over the internet service, the
>>>| files would require DRM to ensure that they were appropriately
>>>| restricted in terms of time and geographic consumption.
>>
>> The above statement absolutely must be questioned, as it makes no sense
>> at all, although reads very much like it was written by a hollywood
>> lawyer, perhaps with someone from Microsoft sitting next to him.
>>
>> My suggestion would be that anything which cannot be made available to
>> everyone, shouldn't be broadcast in the first place. The BBC's
>> programming goes out to the whole of Europe via satellite broadcasting,
>> terrestrial analogue and terrestrial digital broadcasting. Anyone can
>> make a recording of these programmes anyway, to watch whenever they
>> want, indeed, recent activity to locate early programming has resulted
>> in the BBC very gratefully accepting recordings from private individuals
>> as they have lost their copies completely.
>>
>>> The only
>>>| system that currently provides this security is Windows Media 10 and
>>>| above. Further, the only comprehensively deployed operating system
>>>| that currently supports Windows Media Player 10 and above is the
>>>| Windows XP operating system. As a result of these DRM requirements the
>>>| proposed BBC iPlayer download manager element therefore requires
>>>| Windows Media Player 10 and Windows XP. This means the service would
>>>| be unavailable to a minority of consumers who either do not use
>>>| Microsoft or do not have an up-to-date Microsoft operating
>>>| system. However, over time, technology improvements are likely to
>>>| enable even more efficient methods of delivery. Further, it is our
>>>| understanding the BBC Executive are working towards the iPlayer
>>>| ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^
>>>| download manager being able to function on other operating systems.
>>>| ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^
>>> `----
>>>
>>> - http://tinyurl.com/2fefk6 (BBC [PDF])
>>>
>>
>> The issue is about DRM, and particularly, the Microsoft seem to have
>> managed to persuade the BBC that they need it, so the statement is made
>> as if it is self-evident, yet it is far from so.
>
> Here's what Alan Cox sez:
>
> Is the BBC Perpetuating the Microsoft Monopoly?
>
> ,----[ Quote ]
>| According to Alan Cox, a well-known Linux kernel hacker, "Such a proposal
>| IMHO completely violates the expectations that the BBC does not use public
>| funds to distort markets, and there is no sign that the BBC trust who
>| should be overseeing this have done the relevant market distortion
>| analysis."
> `----
>
> http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/80699/index.html
I completely agree with him on this; there is no excuse whatsoever for
the BBC to attempt to lock their broadcasts to an American company's
proprietary streaming or file format, such that only a limited number of
people can benefit from what they have *already paid for*, whilst
sending some of their money abroad for the privilege.
>
> That said, Alax Cox has holds a patent on DRM [1] *wink wink*, so he might
> have conflicting interests. He could sue the BillBC.
>
> __
> [1] Rights management system patented
>
> ,----[ Quote ]
>| A rights management system monitors and controls use of a computer
>| program to prevent use that is not in compliance with acceptable
>| terms. The system monitors usage of the computer program for usage
>| and activities that are not in compliance with the license or
>| other use terms.
> `----
>
> http://www.freshpatents.com/Alan-Cox-Swansea-invdirc.php
>
It could serve to highlight the problem, for sure.
--
| Mark Kent -- mark at ellandroad dot demon dot co dot uk |
| Cola faq: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/linux/advocacy/faq-and-primer/ |
| Cola trolls: http://colatrolls.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
