What is the DCIA?
The DCIA is a voluntary, consensus organization with representation from
all substantially affected sectors of the nascent distributed computing
industry.
This includes companies involved in providing the platforms for storage,
transmission, and exhibition of content, file-sharing networks and operators,
and digital media rights holders.
DCIA participants are engaged in the development and adoption of business
and technical standards-and-practices to advance the commercial development
of this rapidly growing consumer-based distribution system.
DCIA's bylaws serve as the framework to address vital issues surrounding
sanctioned distribution of copyrighted content including; (i) establishing
business and technical standards to commercialize distributed Internet
computer systems, including file-sharing peer-to-peer networks, while
protecting the interests of stakeholders, (ii) encouraging the voluntary
adoption of those standards in affected industry categories, and (iii)
shaping public policy and promoting consumer awareness of key issues.
The standards shall address security, protection of intellectual property
rights, licensing, royalty, associated public interest issues, technical
compatibility, quality of service, and other related technical, legal
and policy matters.
DCIA standards and practices are voluntary, but form the basis of a self-regulating
broad coalition of companies. The DCIA promotes the standards and practices
in order to --
- Advocate their adoption by businesses and Internet standards organizations
- Monitor their implementation
- Ensure compliance
- Swiftly resolve disputes
DCIA members form and participate in working groups and DCIA moderated
forums where interested parties exchange ideas and develop recommendations
to the membership and ultimately, the public at large, on the establishment
of codes of ethics and standards-and-practices.
The DCIA publishes the research and findings of its working groups and
serves as a resource for information, commerce, communication, and collective
understanding for the public and private sector as well as to governments
and interested organizations around the world.
What Problems is the DCIA Trying to Solve?
Our number one priority clearly is the elimination of copyright infringement and, because
DCIA advocates the commercial development of distributed computing (as
opposed for example to trying to stop it), our key strategy centers on
proliferating legitimate commercial services to displace unauthorized
media file sharing currently being conducted by consumers on a massive
scale.
The five issues addressed before discussing unauthorized content distribution
(relating to other security, privacy, and content issues), while important,
include misperceptions that can begin to be corrected with communications
programs as the industry first comes together to solve piracy.
Here are some top-line tactics for us to develop:
- Flow chart of how content should perform throughout the distributed
computing integration chain based on rights holder provided rules.
- Options for corrective measures at each step of distribution based
on technology, communications, enforcement, etc.
- Steps to remove unauthorized media files from peer-to-peer networks
as legitimate versions of such content become readily available.
DCIA Agenda
- Form working groups based on Platform, Operations, and Content Group
priorities
- Outline structure for business and ethical standards for peer-to-peer
network operators and digital content publishers
- Assign peer-to-peer research topics including:
- User behavior and patterns
- Demographic data
- Usage and growth statistics
- Discuss needs for DRM and rights tracking in distributed computing
distribution models
- Other requirements for leveraging P2P to market, promote, and sell
authorized content
Who Should Join?
Distributed computing offers numerous opportunities and challenges to
a wide range of stakeholders that include:
Content Owners and Providers
- Music Recording Industry
- Film and Television Industry
- Software Gaming Industry
- Computer Software Application Industry
Consumer Electronics and Information Technology
- Personal Computer manufacturers
- Digital media recording and playback systems and devices
- CD/R, DVD/R, Hard Drive and storage manufacturers
- Blank media manufacturers
Access Providers and Technologies
- Internet Service Providers
- Telecommunications companies that provide access to the Internet
- Software companies that provide digital media recording and playback
products or digital rights management products
- Peer-to-peer network developers
- Destination websites, portals, search engines and subscription services
that offer digital content
- Developers of distributed computing technologies
Public Interest Groups
- Consumers
- Educational institutions
- Libraries
- Computer scientists and developers
- Academic researchers
Participants and supporters are currently joining from:
Motion Picture Industry - Recording Industry - Hardware Companies -
Software Companies - P2P Operators - Security - Public interest groups
- Digital Rights Management Companies - Consumers
Join today and let your opinion be counted!
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