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Encrypted Media Extensions (EME), a mechanism by which HTML5 video providers can discover and enable DRM providers offered by a browser, has taken the next step on its contentious road to standardization. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the standards body that oversees most Web-related specifications, has moved the EME specification to the Proposed Recommendation stage.
The next and final stage is for the W3C's Advisory Committee to review the proposal. If it passes review, the proposal will be blessed as a full W3C Recommendation.
Ever since W3C decided to start working on a DRM proposal, there have been complaints from those who oppose DRM on principle. The work has continued regardless, with W3C director and HTML inventor Tim Berners-Lee arguing that—given that DRM is already extant and, at least for video, unlikely to disappear any time soon—it's better for DRM-protected content to be a part of the Web ecosystem than to be separate from it.
Berners-Lee argued that, for almost all video providers, the alternative to DRM in the browser is DRM in a standalone application. He also argued that these standalone applications represent a greater risk to privacy and security than the constrained, sandboxed environment of the Web. He acknowledges that DRM has problems, chiefly the difficulties it imposes for fair use, derivative works, and backups. He notes, however, that a large body of consumers don't appear overly concerned with these issues, as they continue to buy or subscribe to DRM-protected content.
-- submitted from IRC
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 22 2017, @01:07PM (3 children)
Berners-Lee argued that, for almost all video providers, the alternative to DRM in the browser is DRM in a standalone application. He also argued that these standalone applications represent a greater risk to privacy and security than the constrained, sandboxed environment of the Web.
The existence of DRM is in itself a threat against privacy and security, particularly since it often results in crippling the hardware or leaving back doors in so it can be forced (remember the Sony rootkit?). Incorporating it into the HTML standard for the sake of privacy and security is absurd and disingenuous at best, and probably gives corporations yet another toehold into controlling and effectively owning as many computers as they possibly can, including yours, whether you paid for it or not.
...a large body of consumers don't appear overly concerned with these issues, as they continue to buy or subscribe to DRM-protected content.
A lot of customers don't even know DRM exists, and in many cases it's either deal with DRM or piracy (incidentally, compare piracy statistics, plenty of those people aren't paying because of DRM itself).
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 22 2017, @01:16PM (2 children)
World domination has driven Berners-Lee insane. DRM must not be removed from His web because any such attempt will diminish His awesome power.
Worship Berners-Lee for He is Your God.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 22 2017, @02:42PM (1 child)
But I'm a Bill Atkinson [wikipedia.org] worshiper. :(
You should convert! Worship includes LSD! :)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 22 2017, @09:07PM
Bill Atkinson advocated freeware but not free software. HyperCard was bundled with every Mac, but it wasn't open source. Platform lock-in ensured the web would inevitably eat his lunch.