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IT EFF Criticizes New Broadcast Flag Draft
Michael Hoffman (Blog) - January 22, 2006 1:23 AM

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12 comment(s) - last by The J.. on Jan 23 at 10:03 PM

The EFF is up in arms about legislation that Senator Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) is currently circulating around the Senate

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) apparently isn't pleased with the hearings that the Senate Commerce Committee will he holding soon. On Tuesday, the group will be holding a hearing about government regulation of digital media in the form of audio and broadcast flags. The EFF claims that if the bill were to pass, the federal government, RIAA and MPAA would be able to control what consumers do with the media in their homes. The EFF claims that the new legislation would impose content protection mechanisms in future TVs and would allow the FCC to regulate the design of digital radios.

A PDF version of the draft is available from the EFF editorial.

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It's really depressing.

By phisrow on 1/22/2006 4:05:12 AM , Rating: 2

Here we go again. All they have to do is succeed once, we have to be on the defensive forever. I just find it so hard to be optimistic about this sort of thing.

Remember the optimism of the old days, when the internet was going to be a great, new, disruptive force for change? These days it looks more and more like it's turning into a mixture of Cable TV and Cell Phone service, with a side of spyware and surveillance.

RE: It's really depressing.

By Samus on 1/22/2006 4:52:27 AM , Rating: 4

It's going to take Democrats 20 years to fix the damage that has been impossed on our constitution in the past 6.

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RE: It's really depressing.

By The Cheeba on 1/22/2006 5:41:35 AM , Rating: 2

Who says it's going to take just the Democrats?

Cheeb.

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RE: It's really depressing.

By bersl2 on 1/22/2006 6:04:56 AM , Rating: 2

What alternate reality are you from? They are just as authoritarian as the Republicans.

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RE: It's really depressing.

By Wellsoul2 on 1/22/2006 4:47:37 PM , Rating: 2

Be optimistic..with more bandwidth come more choices.

Anything that is popular will have many ways to bypass
DRM.

Cable TV is a total monopoly at a steep price..even with a
DRM scheme you will get more competition over the internet.

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bring it

By NoToRiOuS1 on 1/22/2006 1:58:55 AM , Rating: 2

yea?...bring it the fvck on...

damn government...LETS PROTECT THE RIGHTS ON MULTIBILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRIES BUT NOT THE PEOPLE....

gah this pisses me off so much...

RE: bring it

By bersl2 on 1/22/2006 3:17:06 AM , Rating: 4

quote:
yea?...bring it the fvck on...

It's not like we have much choice in the matter. Either we rise to the occasion, or the business-government complex will flatten us without so much as a second thought.

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Have to just keep fighting it

By Anemone on 1/22/2006 7:39:09 AM , Rating: 2

This really is just the RIAA and compatriots at work. And don't think we won't have to keep fighting these battles for the next 10 years. Write to the government and keep writing everytime a bill like this comes up.

Why? Because the government only hears the folks who talk to them, and the RIAA is spending a lot of money to do a lot of talking. We just have to be sure we keep telling them there is another side to this, the voice that may or may not put them back into office.

This is going to go on until the RIAA decides on a new business model, one that does not include their industry execs and stars making mega million dollar salaries on the backs of our budgets. So expect to keep at this fight a while, and roll your eyes, and hit those keyboards. I'm very serious. If you write you will have a say. If you don't then these bills will keep coming hoping that you the voters will get tired of doing battle before they do.

Keep at it. This is one battle it would be sad to lose.

RE: Have to just keep fighting it

By The J on 1/23/2006 10:03:41 PM , Rating: 2

I tried to write to my representative, but it wouldn't let me since I'm in Michigan (not on the committee panel). I had a nice, long response too. Oh well, I saved it so I can use it at a later date.

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Root causes...

By MrEMan on 1/22/2006 2:07:07 PM , Rating: 2

Just how much of this has been brought on by an entire generation plus who feel they are entitled to free music (what percentage of mp3 players would require 5+ gig drives if not for internet piracy?) and movies, vs how much has this been the result of people being tired of being charged $13- $17 for a CD or $20 - $25 for a DVD either of which costs about a $1 or $2 to manufacture?