5 Oct 2004 jonas   » (Master)

"The most common format of music on an iPod is 'stolen'" , according to Steve Ballmer.

This is an interesting contrasts to the news of a few days ago that Sony Japan was dropping copy-protection on its CDs. The hardware and software manufacturers may go on about how wonderful DRM will be. But most of us know the truth already; they've already lost.

Eben Moglen has said that we need four things; free software, free hardware, free spectrum and free culture. We have free software. Free hardware means that the hardware should not be encumbered with DRM. We're currently in a state of flux where some new hardware is DRM-encumbered and some is not. I'm confident that with enough information, the consumers will eradicate all traces of DRM by chosing non-DRM hardware.

Free spectrum means our ability to share the spectrum through, for example, the use of WiFi devices. Our ability to be connected to everyone whenever we chose to. This will clear the way for sharing with each other without the possible DRM-encumbered broadband connections or cable TV.

Free culture is on its way thanks to organisations such as Creative Commons. I would argue however that I'm not sure what sense it makes to create licenses to free culture. Free culture can only exist when I, as the author of a work, can give this work to another and he or she automatically receives the freedoms that we associate with free culture. If I, before doing this, have to find, evaluate and decide on a license to use, chances are that 99% of the time, I wouldn't find it worth doing. 99% of the creative power Free spectrum means our ability to share the spectrum through, for example, the use of WiFi devices. Our ability to be connected to everyone whenever we chose to. This will clear the way for sharing with each other without the possible DRM would be lost to legal bureaucracy.

Our aim should be, not to create free culture licenses, but to create a world where such licenses are not needed.

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