re: Fred von Lohmann (EFF) Gets The Idea About Microsoft and DRM!

chrisl — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 22:26:00 GMT

Thanks for the comments Fred!

In your mind, if Microsoft would enable consumers to play the content (play along with Hollywood) and lobby for DMCA reform at the same time it would be better?

Risking their building relationship with the content owners would surely lead to them not wanting to work with Microsoft or developing systems that leave the PC out of the game entirely.

If that happens, the consumer and Microsoft both lose (as if they both ever win). Microsoft can’t build a system to enable playback, and thus the consumer can’t play the content on their PC. This can’t be considered putting the consumer first, can it?

re: Fred von Lohmann (EFF) Gets The Idea About Microsoft and DRM!

chrisl — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 21:41:00 GMT

Glad to hear we agree. Of course, the only reason Hollywood now has the ability to force technology companies to employ DRM is the legal changes wrought by the DMCA. And last time I checked, MSFT was not lobbying for DMCA reform, despite the fact that a variety of other technology companies (and the CEA) have seen the light. So I'd say MSFT, by implementing DRM, is hardly doing consumers a favor here.

Anyhow, here's a <a href="http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/archives/003897.php">better link</a> direct to my thoughts (rather than on JD Lasica's site).