[kFW] Response: DRM and Kendra...

[Daniel Harris <daniel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi there Richard (cc Kendra Framework List),

Happy New Year to you! Thanks for your comments back in 2001. I'd like to 
respond to your concerns about Kendra and rights management.

In summary... Kendra Initiative wishes to see the creation of an open 
platform for content distribution - we're calling this the Kendra System. 
We wish to see content owners (big and small) free to decide how to 
license/sell their own product. It is not for the Kendra System to get in 
the way of their choice but to facilitate them. We want to see content 
flowing whether it is being given away or charged for or whatever.

If consumers don't like any restrictions placed on them by the content 
owners they will generally find a work around and the content owner will 
loose out. I would hope that the content owner would modify their ways to 
gain more appeal - if that is indeed what they seek to do.

Your example of censorship is outside of Kendra Initiative's realm in the 
sense that we only wish to see a system built that facilitates the desires 
of content owners and content consumers alike. Just as the Internet (and 
services like email, dns, etc) is neutral in enabling people to do what 
they want so too should be the Kendra System. If certain people want to 
censor others then that's their choice and, I guess, they will use law to 
do that.

Regardless of our personal opinions Kendra Initiative must be all inclusive 
as is the Internet. To do anything other than be "all inclusive" would 
limit our appeal and so not enable us to reach our goal of a unifying 
global content delivery system.

I hope this clarifies the issue. I look forward to any comments that you 
may have.

You may also be interested to read the following 3 post:

Initial list posting from me:
http://www.kendra.org.uk/lists/archive/k-framework/msg00016.html

Response from Scott Pollard:
http://www.kendra.org.uk/lists/archive/k-framework/msg00017.html

Response from me:
http://www.kendra.org.uk/lists/archive/k-framework/msg00020.html

Cheers Daniel