--- Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2003 07:39:38 -0400 To: Declan McCullagh <declan@private> From: mnemonic <mnemonic@private> Subject: Broadcast Flag in the Post Cc: mnemonic@private The FCC's plans to change how we watch television, and to restrict the kinds of copies we make of broadcast TV programming, have finally begun to surface in the mainstream press -- at least in a way that begins to make clear what we're about to lose: not just TV copying but open-architecture computer design as well. --Mike FCC Targets Copying of Digital TV Hollywood Backs Rule That May Irk Viewers By Jonathan Krim Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, October 16, 2003; Page E01 The federal government is preparing for the first time to require that personal computers and other consumer electronics devices contain technology to help block Internet piracy of digital entertainment. A rule being considered by the Federal Communications Commission is one of a series of proposals pushed by the entertainment industry to help thwart copying and online trading of movies and television shows that increasingly are being broadcast in digital form with high-quality picture and sound. But the new rule also would force consumers to purchase new equipment if they wanted to record enhanced digital-quality television programs and replay them on other machines. Opponents of the proposed rule, including many technology companies and consumer groups, say it won't work. They are especially concerned that the plan might lead to government regulation of how personal computers and other devices are built, particularly if hackers crack the system and further changes are deemed necessary. Officials at the FCC, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they expect the agency to settle on details of the "broadcast flag" rule by the end of the month. The broadcast flag takes its name from the bit of computer code that would be embedded in digital television signals and would be read by "compliant" devices such as a television set or a digital video recorder. ... _______________________________________________ Politech mailing list Archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ Moderated by Declan McCullagh (http://www.mccullagh.org/)
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