French iPod law panned
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This Vivendi-Apple-Microsoft-backed law makes interoperability impractical, despite it being named in the law. But the consequences are very real for everyone of us. The bulk of the law is about the content industry and technical providers being allowed to keep control of distribution and arbitrary prices. It's a total denial of the Internet, fair use, and authors' rights. Screw customers, way to go... In a "always on" world, which is the basis for DRM to be possible, I think that "offline" prevails. I'll be sticking to very real pieces of plastic, and teaching anyone to do so, instead of services that remotely expire content at will, or decide for me what I can do with it. It's up to everyone to vote with their money. Also, the article is wrong when it says " The new law was drafted initially to conform with EU directives on copyright protection of online works." : those EU directives come from the early 90s, when Internet barely existed. They are irrelevant in today's world.
Stephane Rodriguez. wrote:
those EU directives come from the early 90s
No, they don't. They are the EUCD, European Union Copyright Directive, 2001. Anyway, I think you're right. _____________________________________________ Tozzi is right: Gaia is getting rid of us. My Blog [ITA] - Developing ScrewTurn Wiki 1.0b...
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Yeh it's a real pity that governments around the world forced standards on the electricity suppliers and the railways. It would be much better to have multiple competing voltages and guages everywhere :doh: DRM is NEVER the answer, just like prohibition is never the answer X|
Joey Bloggs wrote:
and guages
They did a pretty lousy job of that as well. 120 -60, 220-50, different railroad guauges Us/euroupe/asia. This law has nothing to do with standardization, or consumer protection, it is about giving French companies special privileges so they can compete more effectivelly at Apples expense.
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Joey Bloggs wrote:
DRM is NEVER the answer, just like prohibition is never the answer
What amuses me is the attitude towards DRM in this place. Pretty much all the people here are programmers, and there are regular discussions on the technical boards about methods of securing code that people have written so that people can't download and use applications for free or steal source code. These discussions always have positive responses, and many methods are suggested. The minute someone starts talking about using technology to ensure that it is songs that can no longer be downloaded free, or Microsoft using WGA to ensure that their software is not stolen, suddenly it's a whole new ball game and Microsoft/EMI or whoever are the spawn of satan for putting these restrictions in place. Sure, it's the difference between the little guy and the big corporate mega-organisation, but the principle is surely exactly the same?
Sadly the genie is out the bottle of copying plus the responses are often poorly thought out - prosecuting people without a PC for file sharing, rootkits etc. At least the OS issue isn't so bad. One other thing - people complain about complications arising from Windows updates yet just abotu all the updates are due to people attackign Windows. Elaine :rose: The tigress is here :-D
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From the article: "Government-led theft of intellectual property is wrong, whether we're talking about iTunes or Champagne." I don't think that comparison is valid. Champagne is either made in Champagne (in which case it is Champagne) or it isn't (in which case it is simply sparkling wine).
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Colin Angus Mackay wrote:
Champagne is either made in Champagne (in which case it is Champagne) or it isn't (in which case it is simply sparkling wine).
Meh. Only because the French demand that it be so...[^] Seems like they are protecting French products and the hell with anybody elses. I hope Apple pulls iTunes out of France and any other country that acts so arrogantly. The same with Microsoft and the EU. "The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass." - Martin Mull
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Joey Bloggs wrote:
DRM is NEVER the answer, just like prohibition is never the answer
What amuses me is the attitude towards DRM in this place. Pretty much all the people here are programmers, and there are regular discussions on the technical boards about methods of securing code that people have written so that people can't download and use applications for free or steal source code. These discussions always have positive responses, and many methods are suggested. The minute someone starts talking about using technology to ensure that it is songs that can no longer be downloaded free, or Microsoft using WGA to ensure that their software is not stolen, suddenly it's a whole new ball game and Microsoft/EMI or whoever are the spawn of satan for putting these restrictions in place. Sure, it's the difference between the little guy and the big corporate mega-organisation, but the principle is surely exactly the same?
It's a matter of choice. In a business that respects customers, customers are given the choice to buy the product once for all, and should be able to do whatever pleases them as long as they comply with the EULA. And, if the customer would rather choose DRM because the associated price is an order of magnitude less, then be it. But at the heart of the business is CHOICE. Microsoft-powered DRM (WGA is just one example, WMP 11 is another) is not about choice. It's about strangling customers in the name of fighting piracy, which is a ridiculous thought since pirates will route around the DRM.
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It's a matter of choice. In a business that respects customers, customers are given the choice to buy the product once for all, and should be able to do whatever pleases them as long as they comply with the EULA. And, if the customer would rather choose DRM because the associated price is an order of magnitude less, then be it. But at the heart of the business is CHOICE. Microsoft-powered DRM (WGA is just one example, WMP 11 is another) is not about choice. It's about strangling customers in the name of fighting piracy, which is a ridiculous thought since pirates will route around the DRM.
Stephane Rodriguez. wrote:
In a business that respects customers, customers are given the choice to buy the product once for all, and should be able to do whatever pleases them as long as they comply with the EULA.
So the correct option is to give up all technological attempts to enforce copy protection, and instead trust people to use the product in line with the EULA? I'm sorry, but people have proved over and over again that they will happily break the law for a free application or music track. In an ideal world, your approach would be fine, but in this world there are too many freeloaders.
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Colin Angus Mackay wrote:
Champagne is either made in Champagne (in which case it is Champagne) or it isn't (in which case it is simply sparkling wine).
Meh. Only because the French demand that it be so...[^] Seems like they are protecting French products and the hell with anybody elses. I hope Apple pulls iTunes out of France and any other country that acts so arrogantly. The same with Microsoft and the EU. "The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass." - Martin Mull
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Like with the Cornish Pasty? Cornwall have demanded that that can only be applied to pasties made in Cornwall.
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Joey Bloggs wrote:
and guages
They did a pretty lousy job of that as well. 120 -60, 220-50, different railroad guauges Us/euroupe/asia. This law has nothing to do with standardization, or consumer protection, it is about giving French companies special privileges so they can compete more effectivelly at Apples expense.
French companies, like? There is none.
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Somebody really needs to stop governments from making laws... http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,19664974%5E15306%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html[^]
Ryan
"Punctuality is only a virtue for those who aren't smart enough to think of good excuses for being late" John Nichol "Point Of Impact"
The moral of the story is: "don't produce a product that's too successful, otherwise the government will force you to share it with your competitors." Kevin