[Infowarrior] - Interesting take on bandwidth capping

[Richard Forno]

Bandwidth caps as a form of "DRM" or enticing people to stick with  
existing modes of content delivery?  Perhaps a bit conspiracy-theory,  
but an innovative explanation for such programs.  ---rf

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/time-warner-cable-internet-drm,7530.html#xtor 
=RSS-181

Much like everyone reading this article, I'm a genuine supporter of  
advancement in hardware and technology services. Suffice to say, I was  
happy with the progression of Internet connection services over the  
years. Recently, however, I would have to say that Internet connection  
advancement in the U.S. and Canada has been purely an interest of the  
corporations that provide them and not about serving the consumer-- 
you--and the advancement of technology in America in general.

In late March, I wrote an article on Tom's Hardware explaining why  
HDCP (high definition content protection) is the bane of movie  
watchers everywhere. Not only is HDCP an invasive technology that  
kills the enjoyment of movies for enthusiasts, it does nothing to stop  
pirates. We all know this to be true.

Don't think for a moment though, that big media doesn't know this-- 
they absolutely do. Now, they have a new plan. Since big media can't  
directly go after pirates, they've decided to go after to after the  
group of people who they think can't do a thing about it: anyone using  
an Internet connection.

< - >

Download capping is the new DRM.

It ensures several things:

- You will be more hesitant to download movies and music legitimately-- 
even though you've paid to watch/listen.
- You will watch more cable TV (so you can see all those great ads).
- You will accidentally pay more for less.
- Pirates get a whacking.

Big media and ISPs can't effectively eliminate piracy by going after  
pirates directly or stop online video and music streaming services. So  
they have a better plan now: go after everyone.