Linux, digital rights on collision course

SAN FRANCISCO--Widespread use of Linux and open-source software is an inevitability, but the new programming technique is running into troubles with the important new technology of digital rights management, Hewlett-Packard's top Linux executive said Tuesday.

Digital rights management (DRM) uses encryption to protect proprietary content such as music or movies. But it's not just for entertainment: DRM also will govern confidential documents and other mainstream business information, said Martin Fink, HP's vice president for Linux, during a keynote address at the LinuxWorld Conference and Expo.

Right now there is a risk that DRM adoption will lock out Linux and open-source software, Fink said: "Unfortunately, DRM and open-source software are today largely incompatible because of an extension to copyright law called the Digital Millennium Copyright Act."

Indeed, the tensions between open-source software and DRM have led to legal fights over Linux support for the decryption needed to play movies on DVD. Ultimately, the solution to the DMCA problem will require lobbying to change the rules, Fink said; some in Congress have proposed changes to the law.

HP has a vested interest in the area: The company is angling to be both a major supplier of Linux gear and a key partner for those creating, disseminating and consuming digital content.

Fink didn't mention Microsoft by name, but the implication was clear that the software giant could prevail at the expense of open-source software because of DRM.

"While there is a need to protect digital media in all its forms, it's also important that open software be able to participate in this environment," Fink said. "If we fail, we will create an environment in which one company has de facto control over your documents.

Fink also had a criticism of the open-source realm: There are too many licenses, he said. Some are widely used, such as the General Public License (GPL) that governs Linux, but there are dozens more. At an Open Source Development Labs meeting last week, Fink said, he learned that there are 52 open-source licenses, with three more expected soon.

"There is no value, and there is really confusion in having that many licenses. If you're a vendor planning to create a new license, stop. Call me. Tell me why," he said. "I approve three to five open-source projects or contributions a week" without having to employ any new licenses, he added.

Despite the challenges, Linux and open-source software will prevail, Fink predicted.

Sales of Linux servers are expected to reach $9.7 billion by 2008, he said, and the operating system will spread into many other computing devices. "Linux has the ability to be almost everywhere and in almost any mildly intelligent device you can think of," Fink said.

"Open source is going to allow companies to take cost out of the system at an amazing rate," he said. "Companies will not be able to afford to not take advantage of this change."

Also at the show, Fink touted HP's new Linux laptop, the nx5000, and demonstrated handwriting recognition on a tablet PC.

[mpotter28]

digital rights

why should anybody in the rest of the world care about a stupid law in the USA.
"Digital rights simply means rich bean counters get to steal from content creaters" - translation of a george bush statement

the current admin. position is to put it mildly stupid (gwb) and corrupt(orin hatch and his 200 grand). The American people deserve better than policies that help the immensely rich and put the rest of you at a disadvantage. Its your choice of course but too many members of my family are americans to want to see you drop because certain laws are screwing up your whole system.
p.s. my attidude to my own politicians is even worse I'm just not allowed to use the appropriate language in this forum (I am inclined to use it to the PM's face if he'd like to visit me)

[chill633]

DRM is *necessary*

US or not-US, DRM is absolutely critical to business.

DRM != {Movies && Music}

Stop thinking about movies and music for the moment. Think about industrial manufacturing, industrial espionage and the like.

Manufacturing facilities need document control to make sure the blueprints, schematics, processes and procedures being used are up to date and accurate. They also need to make sure that they don't fall into the hands of competitors or that if they do, they are unusable.

Information -- knowledge -- is *the* most important commodity. Not all knowledge is, nor should it be, public. That is why trade secrets exist. What is the exact recipe for Coke? What about the 7 secret herbs and spices of KFC's Original Recipe? They're trade secrets.

DRM is vital to almost every business in the world that does anything unique. Even differences in processes, like a manufacturing step, can be critical.

DRM, like a kitchen knife, can be used for evil (murder) or good (chopping vegetables for a meal). It is not inherently good or evil, as that depends on the use and implementation.

-Charles

[chill633]

Amen on the licenses!

I've wondered about all the different licenses for sime time now. It seems everyone and his dog has to have a different license.

One of the (supposed) benefits of FOSS over proprietary was not having to deal with things like software assurance and license management. In the Windows world, that can be a full time job.

Real companies have to protect their assets and shareholders. This means they have to have their lawyers read and approve the various licenses or they can be liable for negligence. 50+ licenses is absurd, a waste of time and money and an anchor on FOSS adoption.