DVDs, MP3s, YouTube, and other hindrances to free software

Many of today's de facto technologies for storing and sharing content are at odds with free software. The problems are not caused by a lack of free software programmers (we have plenty of those), but rather by ill-conceived laws, a lack of concern for open standards among content creators, and stubborn incumbent operating system vendors. This talk will describe in depth the unique social and legal challenges that influence free software adoption. Topics include patents, technological protection measures (often called DRM), and proprietary runtime environments. For each topic, we will cover where the technology is used, specific ways in which it hampers free software adoption, possible solutions to the problems, and how you can help overcome them.

Slides and other information about the talk, including links to videos of the talk, are available at http://ossguy.com/?p=365.