Legal Issues

Legal Issues

by Mike Masnick




FCC Approves Broadcast Flag

from the as-expected... dept

As was very much expected, the FCC ignored plenty of reasons why this is a terrible idea and has approved the "broadcast flag" for digital TV programs. All digital TV receivers will need to recognize this flag, meaning that people will (a) need to buy new equipment and (b) lose plenty of fair use rights. Note that it will do nothing to stop "piracy" as the industry claims. It's unclear from the quick Associated Press version of the article how the broadcast flag is going to be implemented (that is, who is going to set it up and approve it), but I'm sure that information will come out shortly. Anyway, here we have another political decision that will do nothing to solve an actual problem, but will make most people worse off.

7 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
 

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  1. Nov 4th, 2003 @ 5:19pm

    Count me out

    by BlueFox

    I guess that I wont be watching as much TV in the future. No major loss, I love to read though I also liked to watch TV. Way to go Hollywood, you just lost some more market share.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  2. Nov 4th, 2003 @ 9:21pm

    Re: Count me out

    by Keith Lea

    I'm pretty sure you and everyone else is going to watch the same amount of TV, Mr. Cool Guy.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  3. Nov 4th, 2003 @ 9:29pm

    No Subject Given

    by TAD

    Another fantastic GreyFace idea brought to you by the Empty Suits.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  4. Nov 5th, 2003 @ 5:21am

    Re: Count me out

    by Voice of Reason

    That's a pretty stupid remark. Look around at what's happening in the real world. TV ratings are down, music purchases are down...people DO respond to these idiotic behaviors by the industries.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  5. Nov 5th, 2003 @ 7:06am

    Re: Count me out

    by momo

    Well, for me thats about one hour a week, Mr. Not So Cool Guy.



    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  6. Nov 5th, 2003 @ 9:13am

    In Favor

    by Beck

    Not everyone is opposed to the Broadcast Flag rule, although probably not for the the reasons you'd expect.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  7. Nov 5th, 2003 @ 9:14am

    Re: Count me out

    If I can't use Tivo or an equivalent, I'm also out.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

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