] more on ISO MPEG Rights Expression Language

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

Delivered-To: dfarber+ () ux13 sp cs cmu edu
Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 13:03:14 -0600
From: Tim Onosko <tim () onosko com>
Subject: Re: [IP] more on ISO MPEG Rights Expression Language
X-Sender: onosko () mail terracom net
To: dave () farber net

The debate over DRMs did not begin on the IP list, nor will it end on 
it.  However, in reference to Mr. Guitierrez's query, these points:

* The use of the tern "persistent" protection of content as used in this 
MPEG press release indicates persistent control beyond the term and scope 
of copyright law, a controversial concept in and of itself.

* Digital Rights Management is not waiting for an MPEG standard like 
digital video compression was.  It is waiting for an acceptable and 
reasonable middle ground between content owners' rights and consumers' 
desires.  As Apple's "light" DRM (as seen in the successful iPod and iTunes 
Music Store) seems to imply, consumers respond most favorably to the least 
intrusive DRM.  An ISO standard DRM won't necessarily be the most 
successful DRM if consumers reject it for being onerous.  And, with all of 
these content companies at the helm, it will no doubt be another attempt to 
forge the "ultimate" DRM, meaning the most secure and perhaps the most 
restrictive DRM.

* One of the names on the list of endorsers is Leonardo Chiariglione, who 
has already headed one such failed attempt at an industry-standard DRM, the 
RIAA's SDMI (Secure Digital Media Initiative), and was the prime mover 
behind another proposed (and as yet unadopted) DRM system, OCCAMM.

This may be the first time ISO/MPEG has undertaken this task, but not the 
first such attempt.  This is a complex issue to which many people believe 
there is a simple and obvious answer.  There is not.

- Tim Onosko

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