Copy Protection Bill Introduced

Wired News ^ | 21 March 2002 | Declan McCullagh

[steve-b]

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Fritz Hollings has fired the first shot in the next legal battle over Internet piracy.

The Democratic senator from South Carolina finally has introduced his copy protection legislation, ending over six months of anticipation and sharpening what has become a heated debate between Hollywood and Silicon Valley.

[steve-b]

Cash-and-Carry Hollings is trying the old trick of sticking a new name on the same old garbage. Get those letters and faxes coming....

[WyldKard]

This guy already has business-friendly Republicans telling him they will shoot it down immediately. With their help, and all the faxes and letters, this thing doesn't stand a chance...

[Uncle Fud]

From the cited article:

One bright spot for free software advocates: Any software that implements the standards must be "based on open source code."

Depending on the definition of "based on" this could be an invalidating loophole.

Looks like we need to stock up on some pre-ban PC's to store next to those pre-ban AR's....

[OldDominion]

bmp for later

[steve-b]

One bright spot for free software advocates: Any software that implements the standards must be "based on open source code."

Depending on the definition of "based on" this could be an invalidating loophole.

Unless they come up with some Clinton definition, it would certainly be an invalidating loophole -- if the security is implemented in open source code, anybody with a text editor and a compiler could remove it.

[zeugma]

Hollings (DisneyS.C) needs to be flogged right out of the senate for introducing such an evil bill that will cripple just about any technology industry that you may care to name.

I'll be looking on Thomas for the full text of the excrement tomorrow.

[altair]

Joining Hollings as co-sponsors of the CBDTPA are one Republican and four Democrats: Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), John Breaux (D-Louisana) and Dianne Feinstein (D-California).

Thank you Senator Feinstein!

[altair]

Not if it's implemented in hardware, but then I suppose it wouldn't be "based on Open Source code".

[steve-b]

The reference to "open source" appears to be a buzzword thrown in by some staffer who wouldn't know a compiler from a carburetor.

And these guys want to decide which features need to be installed in any product more sophisticated than a can opener. It would be hilarious if it weren't so dangerous.

[altair]

Yup, it stopped being funny when they passed the CDA in order to implement an otherwise very bad Telecom bill.

[Paul C. Jesup]

The DEMocRATs are trying to screw over the ENTIRE tech industry. Both hardware and software.

I wonder, could this bill be challeged on First Amendment grounds. I mean the Supreme Court stated that the internet was the largest on going conversation in human history. And this bill would censor the internet.

[Bob J]

Tonight on Radio Free Republic we have "On Target" with host John Bender! Tonight, Johns guest is Charles Cunningham, Director of Federal Affairs for the NRA!

Following John at 7pm/10pm, we have a special edition of RFR hosted by ALOHA RONNIE! AR, a Veteran of the Battle of IA DRANG-1965 / Landing Zone Falcon (3 mins out from Landing Zone X-Ray), who will be reviewing "We Were Soldiers"! AR will taking lots of calls!

To listen in while you FReep, go to theFRN Homepage and scroll down the left side for the RadioFR button!

[steve-b]

The DEMocRATs are trying to screw over the ENTIRE tech industry. Both hardware and software.

Hmmmmm... if I could draw worth a damn, I'd have Hollings as Dr. Frankenstein trying to animate a monster labelled "RECESSION"....

[Paul C. Jesup]

This bill if it became law would destroy the tech industry because under the law "open source code" based OS would be the only legal OS. But since "open source code" by its very nuture is uncontrolable (if it is open source based, then it can be modified and reprogramed), it would also be illegal.

Therefore all OS's would be illegal. And every computer owner in this country would become outlaws. All 80 million of us.

This bill and CFR are both anti-free speech and wars have been started over less.

[Paul C. Jesup]

And if I could draw. I would draw Uncle Sam snorting money like it was cocane.

[steve-b]

Copies of TV broadcasts made for one-time personal use at home are also permitted.

Here's a talking point to use on your friends who are pay more attention to "The West Wing" on teevee than the real government: "Hollywood is bribing politicians to pass a law so that all new VCRs will only allow you to play back your recordings once. If you tape something while you're at work, and something interrupts you while you're watching -- tough, you have to wait for it to come on again (or buy the tape if and when they get around to making it)."

[boris]

"Not if it's implemented in hardware, but then I suppose it wouldn't be "based on Open Source code"."

If it is "implimented in hardware" then it is probably in an EPROM or equivalent.

Oh yes, I recall the days of my EPROM burner and hacking BIOS code...

Look at the market for descrambling devices and unlocking chips...

See the back of Popular Science for example!

--Boris

[Paul C. Jesup]

Like I said this bill would kill the tech industry. No one is going to buy a VHS or DVD that lets you only watch a recording once. DIVX with Circuit City proved that.

[Paul C. Jesup]

BUMP

[Paul C. Jesup]

Bump to the top.