Development of Creative Commons licenses

["Nic Suzor" <nic AT suzor.com>]

On 12/5/06, drew Roberts <zotz AT 100jamz.com> wrote:
> Is it important to you to have your works able to be "traded in" on close
> systems where only the "blessed" can do so, or would you be OK with
> restricting it to closed systems where anyone can put on the DRM for your
> works?

I woudl prefer to allow the 'blessed' to distribute locked versions on
the condition that they also distribute cleartext versions. However,
as we discussed above, if the consensus is that the licences require
that anyone be able to apply DRM only if everyone is able to do so, I
could live with that compromise. It wouldn't be my favourite position,
but it is preferable to local-only application of DRM.

> Secondly, people are saying that the current anti-tpm language without PD
> allows works to be used on closed platforms if the user puts them on. (Local
> application of DRM.)

I know some people keep saying that the tools to apply DRM locally can
be made easy to use, but I still have my doubts as to whether my
mother and grandfather will be able to use these systems to apply DRM
to be able to read CC-licensed works on the platform of their choice.
I want to ensure, at least on systems where everyone has the ability
to do so, that people can distribute locked versions to make it easier
for those without the technical knowledge, or resources, to do so
themselves.

> What more do you need?

I can foresee great difficulty in drafting a clause which provides for
parallel distribution of locked content iff the DRM is universally
applicable. For both simplicity and personal preference, I would
prefer to allow PD for all systems, including Dave-blessed-only
systems.

thanks,

nic.