Posted on 09/27/2005 12:04:13 PM PDT by Windcatcher
According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the MPAA is trying to ram broadcast flag legislation through Congress again, this time as an amendment to a budget reconciliation bill. Ever since the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that the Federal Communications Commission overstepped its authority in mandating that all consumer electronic devices capable of receiving digital television signals incorporate support for the flag, the media industry has been working on getting Congress to enact the flag.
This latest attempt involves tacking on an amendment to a budget reconciliation bill. Reconciliation bills are an optional part of the government spending cycle, where Congress attempts to cut some mandatory spending in order to bring expenditures closer in line with the budget for the fiscal year. Since reconciliation is about cutting spending—something that always sounds good—such legislation cannot be substantially changed by the Budget Committee once it is presented, nor can it be filibustered.
(Excerpt) Read more at arstechnica.com ...
ping
-Eric
Although I hate the flags as it makes my private viewing of privately recorded material subject to Hollywood's discretion, I disagree that Congress only represents us.
It was the courts that gave us the "law" that it's ok to video tape for personal use, not congress. And as a conservative, I'd argue that it's the legislature's job to create such laws not the courts. Also it's our elected officials to balance what's best for the country (individuals, states, national levels...to include those who own businesses). I prefer a limited National gov't and would like them to push most issues to the state. So although it's sneaky the way MPAA works, they are finally taking through the appropriate channels. Now it's consumers jobs to make sure our elected officials hear our side of the story so they can make an infomred decision. And pray MPAA doesn't "pay them off".
Really? Is there a current hack against Napsters DRM? Or are you referring to the old/outdated hack? Or just playing it analog and then re-digitizing the signal? Which is perfectly legal; however, it loses some quality.
It's amazing how narrow-minded and short-sighted the MPAA is. Not long later VCRs were a huge economic boom for the MPAA companies.
So our congress can enact laws that affect how electronics are built in Japan? Or maybe they will just say that the US won't allow imports of non-flaggable electronics from other countries? Sounds like an electronics trade war to me.
Good point...I had to think about it for a few seconds as I really like it, but I think it fails the reality test. We did it with radio scanners to help "secure" cell phones from eavesdroppers. It's illegal to buy/sell one as of the late 90's. So I guess congress could do the same...it's illegal to buy them or modify them to circumvent the DRM protection.
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