Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
> ____/ [H]omer on Monday 13 August 2007 19:56 : \____
>
>> Verily I say unto thee, that Roy Schestowitz spake thusly:
>>> Internet groups warn BBC over iPlayer plans
>>>
>>> ,----[ Quote ]
>>> | Some of the companies involved have told the BBC that they will consider
>>> | limiting the bandwidth available to iPlayer ? a process known as traffic
>>> | shaping. The measure would limit the number of consumers who could access
>>> | the iPlayer at any one time.
>>> `----
>>>
>>> http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2856766.ece
>>
>> Oh that's just great.
>>
>> First the BBC forges a Machiavellian alliance with the world's most
>> infamous monopoliser. Then it misappropriates license fee payers money
>> to exclude all but those loyal to it's new "business" partner, with
>> software that further restricts freedom with DRM. And finally the whole
>> mess results in yet another blow against .Net Neutrality.
>>
>> Why don't they just buy some guns and start shooting people? It would be
>> quicker ... and more honest.
>
> About your last point, I'm sure Microsoft pops another bottle of champagne. It
> never liked people's ability to communicate the truth on the Web anyway.
>
The BBC's argument is flawed in a couple of key areas:
1) They broadcast en clair now, so there is no need for DRM; PAL and
DVB, FM and AM are all standard. BBC America certainly broadcasts in US
standards, although I don't know which ones, and BBC world broadcasts in
PAL and DVB, also en-clair.
2) There is a database of who has a TV licence, so it would be a trivial
matter to make available BBC content only to those who are licensed to
receive it
3) The BBC is required to offer access to all, not just a selection of
people approved by a US company.
--
| Mark Kent -- mark at ellandroad dot demon dot co dot uk |
| Cola faq: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/linux/advocacy/faq-and-primer/ |
| Cola trolls: http://colatrolls.blogspot.com/ |
| My (new) blog: http://www.thereisnomagic.org |
|
|
