Development of Creative Commons licenses

[Rob Myers <rob AT robmyers.org>]

James Grimmelmann wrote:

> Some authors feel it is good for their works to 
> receive wider distribution, even on platforms that use DRM or from which 
> it is hard to extract works.

Are we discussing freedom or loss leaders? Do these authors feel that it 
is good for them to *receive* work in such a format? Do you believe that 
they will still do so when their eBook reader breaks, they buy an 
incompatible eBook reader, or when they wish to copy some text to write 
a review?

I would imagine that they will feel this until precisely half a second 
after it bites them in the ass, at which point they had better have a 
non-DRM backup. Which of course everyone who uses dual distribution will 
keep. You always download two versions of a file to make sure that you 
have one that you cannot use in case you need it in fifty years time.

These poor helpless users can in fact install GNU/Linux on their PS3, 
iPod or DS or even just the PC that they are using to transfer this 
content and not just experience unencumbered media but also gain all the 
other benefits of Free Software. We should concentrate helping them do 
so, not helping those who would remove their freedom.

- Rob.