[kFW] Re: Response: DRM and Kendra...

[Daniel Harris <daniel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi there All,

Need more group help on this one please...

Richard Stallman responded to my email at lightning speed turn around. He 
cc'ed to this list but it bounced (because he's not subscr!bed - I'll 
mention this in my next email to him) so I've included it below.

So, please can we have some thoughts on this one. We are going through a 
design process with Kendra that is all inclusive so it's really important 
that we can work through Richard's issues and come to resolution.

Cheers Daniel

>Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 02:40:19 -0700 (MST)
>From: Richard Stallman <rms@xxxxxxx>
>To: daniel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>CC: k-framework@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: Response: DRM and Kendra...
>
>    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.
>
>In its form, this appears to be a neutral stance, but its substance is
>a specific and controversial political position.  It says that the
>content owner makes the decisions about what the user can do--the user
>does not decide for himself.  It gives rights owners, but to users it
>gives only suffrance.
>
>I disagree with that position--I think users should have rights.
>
>				    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.
>
>"Charged for" could mean a server asks for a payment before permitting
>a download, or it could mean the server tries to impose Digital
>Restrictions Management.  These are very different issues, so your
>respose doesn't actual say whether Kendra will support Digital
>Restrictions Management.  Could you tell me?
>
>If Kendra does support DRM, then given laws that prohibit free
>software from implementing DRM, that may be tantamount to prohibiting
>free software from interoperating with or fully supporting Kendra.  At
>present, I don't know whether Kendra will include us.