Save the BBC from Windows DRM!
Save the BBC from Windows DRM! - Update | Linux Journal
Now I strongly doubt 25% of the BBC on-demand audience use Linux/Mac but the article makes some good points. Non-Windows users will become second class citizens for at least 2 years.
I am pleased that audio is generally not to be DRMed. I presume this includes “catch up” of radio shows (currently available through Real/WMP) as well as original podcasts?
If you are a license fee payer, get involved in the BBC consultation, a summary of which is below:
In approving the proposal, our view is that it should proceed subject to modification in the following areas:
- the storage window for seven-day TV catch-up over the internet (i.e. the length of time to be able to view programmes after they have been downloaded to a computer);
- series stacking;
- the Microsoft-based DRM strategy for seven-day TV catch-up over the internet;
- the genres included in non-DRM audio downloads;
- the protection of children from unsuitable content.
And later:
The BBC Executive proposes a digital rights management solution which would require consumers to be using Windows XP (or above) and Windows Media Player 10 (or above) to be able to access seven-day TV catch-up over the internet. The PVA noted that we would expect the BBC to adopt a platform-agnostic approach. The MIA also identified benefits to a platform-agnostic approach.
We propose to require the BBC Executive to adopt a platform-agnostic approach to rights management within a reasonable timeframe. The MIA notes an expectation that the BBC Executive plans to develop a Real Player alternative in the near future. Our understanding is that the BBC Executive aspires to offer an alternative DRM framework, which would enable Apple and Linux users to access the service, but has yet to identify a satisfactory solution. In either case, we will expect this to have been addressed within 24 months.
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