The national firewall threatens open-source software

Wired ^ | March 22, 2002 | Declan McCullagh

[Erekos]

WASHINGTON -- America's programmers, engineers and sundry bit-heads have not yet figured out how much a new copyright bill will affect their livelihood.

When they do, watch for an angry Million Geek March to storm Capitol Hill.

A bill introduced this week by Sen. Fritz Hollings (D-South Carolina) would roil the electronics industry by forcibly embedding copy protection into all digital devices, from MP3 players to cell phones, fax machines, digital cameras and personal computers.

[Erekos]

More info at:

http://216.110.42.179/docs/cbdtpa/

[Dedbone]

Fritz Hollings still uses a crank up Victorola.

[APBaer]

"Fritz Hollings still uses a crank up Victrola"

Not only that but Nipper has clearly heard his master's (Jack Valenti's) voice.

[JohnGalt]

Fritz is an Industrial Age politician for sure, but where are the Republicans championing in the Information Age? (Busy putting tariffs on steel imports?)

[The Electrician]

Dianne Feinstein seemingly does not understand that she does not just represent Hollywood, she also represents Silicon Valley. Way to go, Dianne - keep it up - we'll get rid of you for this...

[moyden]

The Hollywood liberal is a thug.

[Lumberjack]

As a developer, I look forward with great joy to breaking this "law" should it be passed. I'll write whatever code I wish, and it infringes on my 1st Amendment rights for the FedGov (or any Gov) to make me write items in my code that I do not wish to be present.

Screw'em and the horse they rode in on.

[general_re]

It's unclear why Hollings, the powerful chairman of the Senate Commerce committee and an ardent supporter of the movie studios' attempts to rid the Internet of piracy, chose to draft the CBDTPA so broadly.

Because Fritz is bought and paid for by the entertainment industry. Duh. Witness that farce of a hearing a few weeks ago when representatives of the computing industry were basically dismissed out of hand.

[jerrymdss]

This is impossible legislation that will never get off the ground.

[Doug Loss]

I agree with you, but be careful talking about breaking laws, even ones that don't yet exist, here. Posts and entire threads have been summarily deleted for just that sort of thing.

[isthisnickcool]

What next? Books?

Sorry, but you can't sell that book unless certain gov't approved text is inserted. Plus, all books must be a certain size, be bound a certain way, may only be a certain color and on gov't approved paper stock. You may not sell the book out of the country and the only method of delivery inside the US must be approved by the gov't. So we know who is buying the books and how many you are selling. Stuff like that. Have a nice day!

[mattdono]

Because Fritz is bought and paid for by the entertainment industry. Duh. Witness that farce of a hearing a few weeks ago when representatives of the computing industry were basically dismissed out of hand.

I find that weird. How is Fritz Hollings bought and paid for by Hollywood (understand, I am not disputing that reality, just it's weirdness)? Why would Hollyweird associate with an old coot like Fritz?

I guess because he is coin operated?

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

The CBDTPA would, if enacted in its current form, have the electrifying effect on computer professionals that the Supreme Court's decision in Bush v. Gore did to some Democratic Party members.

Regardless of the contents of the bill, I am personally offended by this comparison.

[FreedomPoster]

See this post as well, from Wired News:

What Hollings' Bill Would Do (DMCA Idiocy by Hollings/MPAA/Disney)

[rdb3]

I say, uh, boy, I say uh we need the corruption written out that there code and them there devices!

[tomkat]

This is impossible legislation that will never get off the ground

agreed.

[ZeitgeistSurfer]

Completely unenforceable law. The rest of the world will ignore it.

[Still Thinking]

I find that weird. How is Fritz Hollings bought and paid for by Hollywood (understand, I am not disputing that reality, just it's weirdness)? Why would Hollyweird associate with an old coot like Fritz? I guess because he is coin operated?

He's an honest politician. Once he's bought, he stays bought.

[shadowman99]

This law punishes one industry for the benefit of another. It will slow or cripple computer development in some sectors. Why does the responibility not fall on Hollywood to better defend it's products?

Independent developers, cottage software houses, startup web companies, people who write code as a hobby, students who want to publish code - say goodbye. Chances are you won't be able to keep up with the regulations, much less afford the technology.

Of course, none of this matters to Hollings(D, Disney).

[general_re]

Bingo - Fritz is so senile by this point that he's like a bad slot machine. If you drop a few coins in, he's bound to pay off sooner or later. That, and I think he's desperately trying to appear relevant to the new century, especially considering that the last bill he introduced was a resolution condemning the Spanish government for blowing up the Maine...