regener8ed
10-21-2005, 02:02 PM
MPAA & RIAA Proposing Legislation Amendments
MPAA is advocating an intrusive and far reaching “broadcast flag” law. While a broadcast flag for digital video may have some merit, any such legislation should be narrowly drawn, contain appropriate exceptions for news and public affairs programming, and be paired with language supporting consumer fair use rights.
Instead, MPAA is asking the Senate to go far beyond what the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did in its broadcast flag order, which targeted mass indiscriminate distribution of content over the internet. MPAA's proposed language could forbid consumers from transferring lawfully acquired content over any digital network, including those entirely within private homes. In addition, RIAA is now advocating an intrusive, anti-consumer digital radio proposal which could delay the rollout of digital radio services for years. Contrary to how it is positioned, RIAA's digital radio "encryption at the source" scheme is in no way equivalent to the broadcast flag as authorized by the FCC.
Terrestrial digital radio was developed through a multi-year open standards process and no encryption standard currently exists. But now RIAA - who elected not to participate in the digital radio standards process - suddenly wants to impose an encryption standard that could literally take years to develop and negotiate. This would delay the rollout of digital radio services, render existing digital radios obsolete, and devastate both manufacturers and the 500 U.S. broadcasters already on the air.
Furthermore, "encryption at the source" would prevent consumers from recording free over-the-air radio broadcasts - a legal right that Americans have enjoyed for decades.
The most troubling aspect of both proposals is that they are not aimed at pirates and unauthorized P2P services. Instead, they seek to restrict what ordinary consumers can do with lawfully acquired content in their own homes. Both proposals would have a profound negative impact on Americans’ use of consumer technology and stifle innovation. Therefore, we urge you to contact your Senator and ask them to oppose all efforts to add these provisions as an amendment to any bill.
MPAA is advocating an intrusive and far reaching “broadcast flag” law. While a broadcast flag for digital video may have some merit, any such legislation should be narrowly drawn, contain appropriate exceptions for news and public affairs programming, and be paired with language supporting consumer fair use rights.
Instead, MPAA is asking the Senate to go far beyond what the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) did in its broadcast flag order, which targeted mass indiscriminate distribution of content over the internet. MPAA's proposed language could forbid consumers from transferring lawfully acquired content over any digital network, including those entirely within private homes. In addition, RIAA is now advocating an intrusive, anti-consumer digital radio proposal which could delay the rollout of digital radio services for years. Contrary to how it is positioned, RIAA's digital radio "encryption at the source" scheme is in no way equivalent to the broadcast flag as authorized by the FCC.
Terrestrial digital radio was developed through a multi-year open standards process and no encryption standard currently exists. But now RIAA - who elected not to participate in the digital radio standards process - suddenly wants to impose an encryption standard that could literally take years to develop and negotiate. This would delay the rollout of digital radio services, render existing digital radios obsolete, and devastate both manufacturers and the 500 U.S. broadcasters already on the air.
Furthermore, "encryption at the source" would prevent consumers from recording free over-the-air radio broadcasts - a legal right that Americans have enjoyed for decades.
The most troubling aspect of both proposals is that they are not aimed at pirates and unauthorized P2P services. Instead, they seek to restrict what ordinary consumers can do with lawfully acquired content in their own homes. Both proposals would have a profound negative impact on Americans’ use of consumer technology and stifle innovation. Therefore, we urge you to contact your Senator and ask them to oppose all efforts to add these provisions as an amendment to any bill.