This WILL Happen
This is satire, but we are rapidly moving toward an era of total media lockdown where such scenarios will be reality.
The technology will be different than that described in the linked article - my personal prediction is that hardcopy media like CDs, DVDs and memory cards will be phased out and ultimately outlawed. All media will be delivered via the internet to a media-center device (much like today's cable TV boxes). The media-center will decrypt the stream and display the content only if certain conditions are met. First and foremost, the initial setup and licensing fee must be registered as paid. Second, and more insidiously, the device will have a sensor to detect the number of persons within viewable range of the media-center. The licensee who is utilizing the media-center to display content will be charged for each potential consumer of said content. These fees will appear, itemized, on the monthly bill (or better yet, debited directly from the licensee's bank account).
Of course, copying, sharing and format-shifting content will be strictly prohibited, both by DRM and legislation.
This model has a two-fold benefit to the media cartels - primarily, they will finally be able to charge on a per-consumer basis; the notion of externalities will be a quaint anachronism. Beyond this, however, the cartels will have comprehensive marketing data for every licensee, allowing for more effective, targeted advertising.
Ultimately, the media cartels will demand direct access to everyone's bank account in order to debit people for any incidental consumption. This will also allow the cartels to fine people who do not consume enough media; those who unjustly deny the cartels of the profit they are entitled to must be punished, after all. Media cartels will also be empowered to recover fees from participants in non-sanctioned entertainment events (defined as any gathering of three or more people wherein any sort of performance, entertainment or stimulation is facilitated). These fees will, of course, be substantially higher than those incurred for consuming sanctioned media - non-compliance with "think of the children" reporting and disclosure requirements must also be punished.
This is where we are headed, make no mistake.
The technology will be different than that described in the linked article - my personal prediction is that hardcopy media like CDs, DVDs and memory cards will be phased out and ultimately outlawed. All media will be delivered via the internet to a media-center device (much like today's cable TV boxes). The media-center will decrypt the stream and display the content only if certain conditions are met. First and foremost, the initial setup and licensing fee must be registered as paid. Second, and more insidiously, the device will have a sensor to detect the number of persons within viewable range of the media-center. The licensee who is utilizing the media-center to display content will be charged for each potential consumer of said content. These fees will appear, itemized, on the monthly bill (or better yet, debited directly from the licensee's bank account).
Of course, copying, sharing and format-shifting content will be strictly prohibited, both by DRM and legislation.
This model has a two-fold benefit to the media cartels - primarily, they will finally be able to charge on a per-consumer basis; the notion of externalities will be a quaint anachronism. Beyond this, however, the cartels will have comprehensive marketing data for every licensee, allowing for more effective, targeted advertising.
Ultimately, the media cartels will demand direct access to everyone's bank account in order to debit people for any incidental consumption. This will also allow the cartels to fine people who do not consume enough media; those who unjustly deny the cartels of the profit they are entitled to must be punished, after all. Media cartels will also be empowered to recover fees from participants in non-sanctioned entertainment events (defined as any gathering of three or more people wherein any sort of performance, entertainment or stimulation is facilitated). These fees will, of course, be substantially higher than those incurred for consuming sanctioned media - non-compliance with "think of the children" reporting and disclosure requirements must also be punished.
This is where we are headed, make no mistake.