For Immediate Release The Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus supports the
Electronic Frontier Foundation concerns regarding DRM in HTML5 BERN & SUVA June 14 2013 - The Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus adopted a statement this week supporting the formal objection lodged by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) regarding the HTML Working Group's charter. As explained in the EFF's objection (see link: https://www.eff.org/pages/drm/w3c-formal-objectionhtml- wg), the W3C's Working Group responsible for developing the next version of HTML, a core technology for the World Wide Web, has published a draft specification regarding Digital Rights Management (DRM), the Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) specification. The EFF objection seeks to invalidate the HTML Working Group's mandate to develop DRM enabling technologies, as specified in the working group's charter - "supporting playback of protected content". Much has been said about EME, especially since its advancement to First Public Working Draft status in May, 2012. Many worry about its impact on digital rights, access, fair use, privacy and innovation. Many have signified their concerns to the W3C, whether through letters, petitions and discussions, most notably on the various W3C mailing lists supporting communications of this work. Most recently, the EFF has filed a formal objection to tell the W3C that DRM has no place in HTML. The Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus (IGC) wishes to lend its voice to this movement of protest. The IGC believes that the inclusion of digital rights management (DRM) in HTML5 has the potential to stifle innovation and seriously compromise the rights of end users (see statement: http://igcaucus.org/igc-statement-drm-html5). The IGC therefore calls on the W3C to stop work on the Encrypted Media Extensions specification and revise its decision to include this work in the HTML Working Group charter. About the Internet Governance Caucus The policies that shape the Internet impact not only the development of the technologies themselves, but also the realization of internationally agreed human rights, social equity and interdependence, cultural concerns, and both social and economic development. Our vision is that Internet governance should be inclusive, people centered and development oriented. Our contributions to the various forums relevant to Internet governance, will strive to ensure an information society which better enables equal opportunity and freedom for all. Ends Source : Norbert Bollow & Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro Internet Governance Caucus http://igcaucus.org/ coordinat...@igcaucus.org
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