NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] AP proposes new metadata for Internet news stories
Continuing the theme from this morning regarding EU publishers' apparent desires to expand copyright walls on the Internet ( http://www.nnsquad.org/archives/nnsquad/msg01783.html ), we also have this announcement today from AP and MST of a new metadata "tagging" format for news items on the Net: http://www.mediastandardstrust.org/medianews/newsdetails.aspx?sid=46551 The essential problem with these tagging regimes is basically the same as for the proposed plans for broad metadata labeling of Web site content in general. The publishing (and pro-censorship) entities proposing such tagging almost inevitably start off with a "voluntary" plan, while the ultimate goal seems to be a mandatory framework with search engines and other users required by law to abide by tagged usage restrictions, even when those restrictions are not in harmony with actual fair use and associated legal constructs. As such, I tend to view such proposals as likely "camel's nose under the tent" attempts to move toward broad restrictions on the use of Internet content, despite the otherwise useful benefits that better metadata might bring in theory. --Lauren-- NNSquad Moderator