Life imitates RMS's worst nightmares, or a look at
the upcoming conflict between free software and
"trusted" copyright enforcement technologies: (Freshmeat)
The RIAA, the MPAA, and their associated ancillary organizations are directed
by the head executives of the cartel corporations. To achieve their position,
executives in the movie and recording industries must instinctively seek and
maintain a position of power. Expect ego to be as important as money in their
decisions; it's an adaptive trait in their environment. These people are not
naturally inclined to compromise. It's their way or the highway; you will sign
their contract or you'll go begging.
However, the cartels also have an inexhaustible appetite for control. If new
technology threatens their current dominance, it also gives them an
opportunity to extend it.
If technical and legal tools can make your data act like a physical thing,
they can enforce other behaviors also. They can control how you play it, and
set any kind of pricing scheme. Limited play, pay-per-play, and DIVX-like
schemes are some of the possibilities.
Most importantly, if computers with trusted-client copy protection become
prevalent in the future, they will be deadly to Open Source. Microsoft may
be able to get Windows certified to run on trusted-client hardware, but how
will you get approval to run your custom-patched Linux kernel?
If we act now, we can deny the old-media cartels the opportunity to impose
onerous copy-protection on us. We can blunt and eventually repeal the DMCA
before it can be used in a truly destructive manner. We can make our side
of the story heard in the halls of power, and educate our representatives
on the consequences of their actions.