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The Broadcast Flag returns.
Now the MPAA and RIAA are teaming up to control everything you see and hear with an even better (for them) Broadcast Flag:
This will be tricky, since the Broadcast Flag essentially demands government interference with every digital AV product on the market.I'm not sure where the folks at the EFF are going for humor or horror. One thing's for sure though. If this passes there will suddenly be a vibrant market for formerly useless VCRs, since that old technology is the only thing you'll be able to use to record a program.Ah, but how about -- no, that's far too sneaky. But...perhaps...
Listen. Suppose our sympatico politicos carve out a bunch of Digital TV provisions that, in fact, do have something to do with government finance? Suppose they stick those provisions in the Senate Commerce Committee's reconciliations bill (due October 26th), where they're practically untouchable?
But some key clauses on which these provisions depend will be omitted. Consequently, it will it be vitally important that Congress passes another Digital TV bill to fill the gaps.That Digital TV bill will contain -- oh, look at that! -- the Broadcast Flag language. Oh, and the RIAA's Digital Radio Broadcast Flag, too, just for the sake of completeness.
Now our friendly politicians can tell their colleagues that the Digital TV Completion (née SOCPUPT) bill is an essential part of the reconciliation process, and must be passed as a matter of urgency before the compulsory reconciliations come into effect!
Oh, yes. That is good. Really, you've outdone yourself, major Hollywood conglomerate!
Your only remaining challenge: choosing language to put in to the reconciliations bill that actively requires a Broadcast Flag in the secondary bill.
So much for 20 years of technological advancement. In the US anyway, because I'm sure that China will just move ahead.