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Comment by wmf | Hacker News Reader

At least Flash is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Will any CDM be so widely available?

Why wouldn't it be?

I should have said Flash is available for IE, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Considering that some of those browsers have a "no new plugins" policy, it seems likely that they will not allow any third-party CDMs. Thus it's hard to imagine that any single CDM will reach a 95% desktop install base.

Ah, I think I get it. You're saying we should keep content locked up in Flash indefinitely because you don't believe that a better solution can get the penetration of Flash? Is that right?

I see "locked up in Flash" and "locked up in EME" as equal, so I'd prefer the one with more adoption.

I also see them as equal, but I'd say I'd prefer the one that implies no official endorsement of a closed system by an open standards committee. That Flash also happens to be the one with more adoption is a bonus point.

I think content providers (and users) would gladly retire Flash if they could "lock up" their content in EME instead.

The CDM API should make porting to multiple platforms easier because the browser implements all the non-DRM infrastructure like networking and playback. That said, I don't really expect Linux to suddenly be a top priority for Netflix or Amazon. On the other hand, a CDM is bright red bullseye for crackers. :)

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