[cc-licenses] Fwd: Parallel Distribution and Non-Copyleft Licenses

James Grimmelmann james at grimmelmann.net
Sun Dec 3 19:16:04 EST 2006


Greg London wrote:
>> why couldn't I design a DRM system where anyone
>> could apply, but only the blessed could work with
>> protected content from there?
> 
> You can handle this with the current proposal, though.
> The current anti-TPM clause allows local application
> of TPM to a work. You can then upload it to your hardware.
> Unless I'm misunderstanding your scenario, it's already
> addressed in the current anti-TPM language.
> 
> If folks would agree to parallel distribution
> and everyone must be able to apply DRM, then
> that's almost identical from a functional
> point of view to the Anti-TPM with local DRM allowed.

I believe that a significant difference is whether one must apply the 
DRM for oneself, or whether one could receive the copy with DRM already 
applied from someone else who would take care of the inconvenience of 
applying it.

I am thinking that this difference may not, however, be significant 
enough to be worth redrafting the licenses, especially given the 
difficulties of defining what it would mean to say that "anyone is able 
to apply the DRM."

James



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