Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) is a W3C specification for providing a communication channel between web browsers and the Content Decryption Module (CDM) software which implements digital rights management (DRM).[2] This allows the use of HTML video to play back DRM-wrapped content such as streaming video services without the use of heavy third-party media plugins like Adobe Flash or Microsoft Silverlight (both discontinued). The use of a third-party key management system may be required, depending on whether the publisher chooses to scramble the keys.
EME has been highly controversial because it places a necessarily proprietary, closed decryption component which requires per-browser licensing fees into what might otherwise be an entirely open and free software ecosystem.[7][8] On July 6, 2017, W3C publicly announced its intention to publish an EME web standard,[9] and did so on September 18.[2] On the same day, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, who joined in 2014 to participate in the decision making,[10] published an open letter resigning from W3C.[11]
^Harcourt, Alison (31 January 2020). Global Standard Setting in Internet Governance. Christou, George, 1973–, Simpson, Seamus. (First ed.). Oxford. p. 96. ISBN978-0-19-257859-4. OCLC1140150076.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)