Sun’s DRM

Looks like Sun is trying to start a new open-source DRM initiative. The main differentiators seem to be no licensing fee, easy addition to hardware, and rights that follow an individual rather than the hardware. Also, it will allow for fair use (if the encoder permits, which of course no one would), and creative commons licensing.

It’s interesting because Lawrence Lessig seems to support it with creative commons, while Cory and the gang at EFF are against, an unusual occurrence. Personally I haven’t made up my mind, I’m not against DRM actually, in the same way I wouldn’t be against someone shooting themselves in the foot. If you want to do it, go for it. I think the idea of licensing people rather than devices is certainly a good one, but I don’t really understand how that would work from a technology level. Does this assume we have some universal authentication system? Because if we did, that would be a bigger accomplishment than open source DRM.