In my city, there is a public library that offers a wide range of DVDs. People can watch them there or they can borrow them. It costs 15€ per year unless you're unemployed, retired or a student, in which case it's free. I've never used Netflix.
I would suspect Stallman would reject that as well - library keeps track of what you have rented out, and requires proof of residency to get a library card. Sounds like exactly the same arrangement (except my property taxes foot the bill).
Well there's still always downloading pirated copies of everything. Like before Netflix. Not completely viable for everyone (moral objections, ease of use) and at least with Netflix some of the money goes to the makers (well, I hope).
I pay for Netflix and still pirate many of their shows just because download to watch does not support high quality video.
It’s also at least on the iPad more battery efficient to play it via VLC than the Netflix app and I don’t need to worry about oh you haven’t been online for 48 hours please connect.
I know this is going to sound crazy, but you could buy DVDs and BluRays. that is a viable alternative.
It's still DRMed obviously, so RMS will hate it. And since you own it (not rent it) it costs more than Netflix.
But it solves about half of the problems he mentioned -- you don't have to agree to an EULA, you still have the right to resell your discs later, and you can mode shift and/or back up your collection (rip it to a server, stream it over a VPN, whatever).
Yup - by buying the DVDs you're engaging in a transaction which is wholly legal, ensures the content creators are paid, and preserves a number of your rights in the process while allowing you to enjoy the content created.
>but you could buy DVDs and BluRays. that is a viable alternative.
Not if I want to watch Netflix original content. Besides, the key here is _viable_. I don't consider spending orders of magnitude more to watch the same content _viable_, and I can afford it. For those who could not it's a non-starter.
It does because I can watch that and a whole host of other things for $8 / month. You have to compare the price relative to the alternative. if I purchased everything I watch on Netflix at DVD prices I'd be spending many thousands of dollars / year more.
