Why aren't all videos on the Internet already protected by it? Why is a standardized API worse than the existing proprietary ones?
Here's an alternative scenario: widespread protection of content rights leads to a shift of entertainment programming to the web and a revitalization of the market. Hundreds of small produces, previously unable to deliver content because of crippling piracy are able to monetize production beyond hoping enough people click on ads. Any production company will be able to produce a cheap or free pilot and be able to sell the next season for $5, delivered safely worldwide. Greater safety of IP leads to greater investment.
A "long tail effect" of TV programming, much like Kindle, means large amounts of old esoteric become available on the Internet. Someone scouring Pirate Bay for some obscure old movie or TV show will now be able to easily get it from the rightful content owner.
> Why is a standardized API worse than the existing proprietary ones?
Because, as I've explained elsewhere on this thread, DRM is inimical to the stated goals of the W3C. They shouldn't be in the business of standardising DRM interfaces, they should be actively opposing DRM.
> widespread protection of content rights
Why do you suppose that the EME proposal will lead to that? Web DRM is already widespread. Are you suggesting that EME will lead to DRM plugins becoming available for non-mainstream OSs like Linux? There's no evidence to back you up there, and quite a bit of evidence to the contrary.
> Greater safety of IP leads to greater investment.
Why aren't all videos on the Internet already protected by it? Why is a standardized API worse than the existing proprietary ones?
Here's an alternative scenario: widespread protection of content rights leads to a shift of entertainment programming to the web and a revitalization of the market. Hundreds of small produces, previously unable to deliver content because of crippling piracy are able to monetize production beyond hoping enough people click on ads. Any production company will be able to produce a cheap or free pilot and be able to sell the next season for $5, delivered safely worldwide. Greater safety of IP leads to greater investment.
A "long tail effect" of TV programming, much like Kindle, means large amounts of old esoteric become available on the Internet. Someone scouring Pirate Bay for some obscure old movie or TV show will now be able to easily get it from the rightful content owner.