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Mozilla added digital rights management (DRM) to the latest version of Firefox (38), allowing users to stream HTML5 video without a plug-in. Mozilla has long been opposed to DRM, because it goes against its opensource ethos. However, concerns about having a browser that can’t natively play content from some of

the world’s biggest streaming services has led Mozilla to back down, especially as alternatives such as Adobe’s Flash and Microsoft’s Silverlight are being gradually phased out. Chrome, Internet Explorer and Safari already support DRM.

In related news, it’s been revealed that one in 10 Netflix users borrow login details from friends or family and the streaming video service doesn’t seem to mind. A study by analyst firm Parks Associates showed that 11 per cent of viewers share account details, even though it’s technically against Netflix’s terms and conditions.

Firefox users can now watch Netflix

How will it affect you?

Mozilla’s move isn’t really a surprise: Flash is becoming less popular and Microsoft no longer supports Silverlight, so streaming companies need to find another technology to play videos. That means Firefox also needs to support DRM, because content makers are too wary of pirates to let it be otherwise, and

Mozilla risked losing users by disallowing Netflix. If you have a Netflix subscription, there appears to be no practical reason not to share your account details you certainly aren’t the only one doing it. And it isn’t much different from lending a friend a DVD to watch on their TV.

What do we think?

We can only applaud both Netflix and Mozilla: the former for not foolishly cracking down on its own customers for using the service in a flexible way, and Mozilla for holding out against DRM for as long as

it has. It’s good to see tech firms being thoughtful for a change.