On my campus, too, streaming has become a more or less universal term for
providing audio or video via the network - despite the fact that there is a lot
of file-served and http-served material available.
True streaming video from a streaming server, obviously, can be saved by a
hacker, but for the average user this would be a challenge. True streaming audio
is a little easier to capture. Both approaches would probably result in some
loss of quality.
I consider password protection, domain protection, even defined IP areas in
laboratory settings in conjunction with true streaming services options for
negotiating with copyright owners.
We are entering the age of digital rights management, and I wouldn't be
surprised at all, if streaming services in connection with transaction
capabilities (as already spelled out in the next MPEG standards) will become
part of our professional lives.
Otmar Foelsche