vijay chopra wrote:
When will media corporations realise that p***ing off their customers is not the best way to make money,
Well, they're still making money despite suing the public, treating them all like criminals, and claiming that skipping adverts on commercial TV is stealing the programmes. So, I think we have a long way to go yet before they wise up.
and definitely not something a public service broadcaster should be doing.
Serving the public includes bringing the best available material to them, not just whatever can be distributed without copying restrictions. Right now, and probably for many years to come, much of the best content will only be available from those who fear that uncontrolled computer copying will reduce them to busking for alms. Just like the eminently defeatable locks on your house help you to sleep at night, so DRM helps some media people sleep at night. Consequently, if the choice becomes 'DRM-protected content' or 'test card', I vote 'DRM-protected content', with the following proviso: make sure that the rights that the DRM protects includes the rights that I, as the consumer, have in handling that content. It seems to me that the BBC is one organization that might actually keep the public in mind in any DRM system they invent, so I strongly support the idea that it's something the BBC should be involved with. Few other broadcasters in the world have the clout, and the technical wherewithal, to act as advocates for the public in this debate; they should not stay out of it.
DRM doesn't serve the public in any way shape or form, the BBC should say to content producers give us licence to show your media DRM free, or we won't broadcast you, it shouldn't give in to their demands.
I take it you haven't spent much time negotiating with programme makers, then? In general, "my way or the highway" isn't a winning strategy to get talented people to work with you, especially when they're scared of what the future might hold for them.
Afterall, there are many companies that would pay to be on the BBC, you should exploit that position to promote free(libre) media.
The day the BBC sells its airwaves to the highest bidder in this way is the day they betray the public's trust. -- Frank Wales [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Sent via the backstage.bbc.co.uk discussion group. To unsubscribe, please visit http://backstage.bbc.co.uk/archives/2005/01/mailing_list.html. Unofficial list archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
