[Linux-aus] Fwd: Ogg Vorbis and Theora removed from HTML5

[Janet Hawtin]

I dont think it is unreasonable to include commercial interest as a
factor in people making decisions for or against a competing format.
That isn't conspiracy theory that is fairly
basic self interest?

Individual commercial interest and standards which can be used by all
are currently two perspectives which are contending in standards
development, to the extent that people who have been working in those
processes for many years are dismayed by the corporatization of the
processes. eg. http://www.jtc1sc34.org/repository/0940.htm

If open standards are the means by which the open community is able to
safely participate then there is some reason to look to the way the
processes play those priorities.

eg If I have my own closed format and I can call it a standard there
is less opportunity risk for me in just using my own formats.

If standards are things which can only be attained by making a format
open then there is
a benefit in making and joining open formats. This would be a boon for
interoperability generally, would make it easier for new technology
companies to get an independent foothold and would also be useful for
free and open software.

If I can make something a standard by including enough people related
to my commercial interest in the process then the substance of the
process becomes irrelevant.
We can vote for our own interests and that becomes a standard.

The value of a process such as that might be debatable for other
parties if the standard is intended to represent the interests of
interoperability, participation, freedom of information etc. But that
is not really my problem. That is the problem of the standard brand
and the other parties who need to figure out how to connect the
interoperability to the process. ie They need to assess what value a
'standard' offers and tailor the process to make sure that pans
regardless of my own interests which I may always address as a first
priority.

It is possible to use both patents and copyright to restrict
participation in use of formats and technologies. Whether those kinds
of restrictions are congruent with standards development is probably a
question which is due some consideration by those who rely on the
processes to serve functional interoperability ends.

ymmv

Janet