Heat from Digital Media conference
Derek Slater explores EFF positions on regulation and the music industry, which seems to have generated some heat. Central to Derek’s position: “…I appreciate what the EFF’s doing. I like the idea of getting a CL [Compulsory Licensing system] on the table because I think P2P sharing isn’t going to go away; that DRM is a poor solution; that we will inevitably lead to greater regulation of technology if we don’t consider alternate solutions; and that the lawsuits are a less than optimal way to deal with the problem, levying out of proportion damages on random people without necessarily leading to any deterrence (although, if the lawsuits were to be a successful deterrent and we all were to live happily ever after with no DRM and great digital music services and such, then I’d be more content).”
One of the reasons why I think Derek’s so good is that he calls things the way he sees them, even if those of us with whom he is or has been affiliated are called out for something — which he manages to do in a constructive manner.
