Your argument isn't germane. A browser is just a "presentation system for videos" also. Browser rendering engine differences means every website they visit is presented a little differently than the way the website designer may have intended. A RSS reader presents results in a way other than the way the RSS feed provider presents it.
I could write a Firefox or Google Chrome add-in that would do exactly what Boxee does. The real issue networks have is they don't want their material presented on a living room television by alternate distribution means than cable/satellite/ota. They only grudgingly provide Hulu the opportunity to stream their material to small screens attached to computers, partially as a way to discourage piracy and provide minimal ad revenue. They feel threatened any other way.
I'm no fan of Apple. But there are many websites that sell iPhone batteries and instructions on how to replace them. It isn't a fun process. But I really don't think Apple makes it hard to make more money on battery replacements. I think they do it because they want to make the phone as thin and attractive as possible without exposed connectors like screws. It wouldn't be my priority, but it is very indicative of the Steve Jobs design philosophy.
I don't think there is any way to legislate "hindrance of repair." There would be too many conflicting opinions of what that entails. Is using a torx screw rather than a phillips "hindrance"? There are some good reasons to use torx over phillips, though drivers are harder to find. I'd rather see a law requiring companies to supply their repair service manuals to customers at only duplication cost, and publish communication protocols required to repair their device, so other companies can build and sell those service tools without reverse engineering.
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Re: Not really
Your argument isn't germane. A browser is just a "presentation system for videos" also. Browser rendering engine differences means every website they visit is presented a little differently than the way the website designer may have intended. A RSS reader presents results in a way other than the way the RSS feed provider presents it.
I could write a Firefox or Google Chrome add-in that would do exactly what Boxee does. The real issue networks have is they don't want their material presented on a living room television by alternate distribution means than cable/satellite/ota. They only grudgingly provide Hulu the opportunity to stream their material to small screens attached to computers, partially as a way to discourage piracy and provide minimal ad revenue. They feel threatened any other way.
Re: What about Apple?
I'm no fan of Apple. But there are many websites that sell iPhone batteries and instructions on how to replace them. It isn't a fun process. But I really don't think Apple makes it hard to make more money on battery replacements. I think they do it because they want to make the phone as thin and attractive as possible without exposed connectors like screws. It wouldn't be my priority, but it is very indicative of the Steve Jobs design philosophy.
I don't think there is any way to legislate "hindrance of repair." There would be too many conflicting opinions of what that entails. Is using a torx screw rather than a phillips "hindrance"? There are some good reasons to use torx over phillips, though drivers are harder to find. I'd rather see a law requiring companies to supply their repair service manuals to customers at only duplication cost, and publish communication protocols required to repair their device, so other companies can build and sell those service tools without reverse engineering.