RealNetworks starting to charge (schools) for using their player!

[Fat Tone]

This is something I heard from a sixth form college tutor:

"... I am interested in how other Colleges / Universities deal with streaming media on the internet, we have until recently used the free RealPlayer to play back on our college machines. However I have received a letter from RealNetworks informing me that, If I have the free version installed I am breaking the licence rules. They will sell me a controllable licensed version (with no adverts), but at a price (£6000 for 650 PC's). I assume that most institutions will be approached eventually. If you have any thoughts, options etc please let me know"

WTF? Surely the deal is that the content creators pay for licences?
This stinks. Whats next? paying to view Flash?

T.

[Paddy]

You know my views

[The PIT]

So you're not allowed to download free versions on all your pc's.

[Fat Tone]

What are you saying TP?

[Technoid]

latest realplayer (Realone, shit) looks more like a comercicals billboard than a mediaplayer

[The PIT]

I was being sarcastic Tony.
I can't see they can really do this as many sites force you to download the player so you can the view content.
Universities/collages would have to block access to Realplonkers website to stop students downloading the player. That would be really bad for Realplonkers.

[Technoid]

hehe, had a talk with the admin of a school net, and he said that 90% of all trafic was "recreational" browsing.

He's were almost thinking of shutting down everything and having the students com and request the "opening" of an adresses

I can hear it:
"Yeah, and what has the adress 'www.freemp3andwarez.nu' with school work????"

[WyWyWyWy]

Originally posted by Technoid
I can hear it:
"Yeah, and what has the adress 'www.freemp3andwarez.nu' with school work????"

Essay on cyber-crime and its effect on social attitute (i.e. 1337ness)?

[Zao]

Technoid: He could ban lunarstorm.*, and get rid of 75% of that.

[Technoid]

You are right, Zao
Why didn't i think of that!!

[Pace]

Originally posted by The PIT
I was being sarcastic Tony.
I can't see they can really do this as many sites force you to download the player so you can the view content.
Universities/collages would have to block access to Realplonkers website to stop students downloading the player. That would be really bad for Realplonkers.

I manage quite well without Real stuff of any form installed - and Quicktime for that matter

[The PIT]

Pace you may do so. I'm justing thinking about schools universitys etc they don't run a managed service so that Students can download what they like. Going to be a real pain in the ass for the admins.