Re: Managing licenses in Gnutella

Am Freitag, 23 de März de 2007 17:16 schrieb Philippe Verdy:
> And yes, giving them full control on our computer is a severe problem when
> what they are selling is not even secure and verifiable

Even if it was secure and verifiable, losing control of our computers to them 
would be a sever problem, and one which renders DRM into a major problem. 

> But true DRM systems, that may be trustable can be built; this is 
> not a technological limitation. 

That's quite false (in my understanding). 

"trusteable DRM" means that all parts of my computer must be controlleable by 
someone else, and since noone can archieve that when I use a free software 
system (what I do and don't intend to change), I can still do whatever I wish 
with my files. So "trusteable DRM" isn't possible without taking control of 
my computer from me. 

And if someone tries to take control of my computer from me that means, he/she 
is simply trying to steal my computer and then use it to take away my 
freedom. 

So you shouldn't ever use the term DRM if you don't intend to say "I want to 
steal your freedom". It has been branded by mass media, and to reclaim it for 
normal use, you'd need a massive amount of really efficient (and expensive) 
marketing. 

> a way for users to demonstrate that they have the licences associated with
> the medias we have. 

This isn't DRM, because I can do whatever I want with my files, as long as I 
don't interact with someone else who might object to my actions. 

The only instance which may restrict my actions in my own domain is the police 
(because they have been given that authority by the state, which represents 
me and the people in my country), as long as that benefits society (which is 
why state and police must be controlled by society), and my computer is 
definitely not owned by the police, but by me. So my Copmuter may never 
restrict the actions I do with it, because else, the computer and not I would 
be responsible for any misdeeds. 

> Basically, a reliable DRM system would necessarily need to become a true
> P2P system whose topology is a mesh network, like in real life, not a
> centralized system which uses unfair competition where independant vendors
> can kill the licences sold by another one without being able to prove
> anything about the rights they sell, and without even being able to prove
> to legitimate authors that they don't abuse them!

Please don't call that DRM, except if you want to say "a system, which 
restricts my actions". 
Call it license management, if you wish. Calling it DRM would strengthen the 
position of those who want to control every computer (in my opinion). 

What you're proposing is a way to introduce useable receipts into the 
internet, which isn't a small task. 

Best wishes, 
Arne


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