COPYCENSE

“A controversial form of copy protection for digital TV broadcasts inched closer to becoming law on Tuesday after receiving an enthusiastic endorsement from a key U.S. senator.

“Sen. Ted Stevens, an Alaska Republican, said at a hearing that the so-called broadcast flag was necessary to curb Internet piracy of TV shows. Future TV tuners would be required to detect the flag and prevent recordings from being redistributed freely.

The Federal Communications Commission approved the broadcast flag in November 2003, ordering a halt to the manufacture of non-compliant TV tuners. After a federal appeals court said the FCC did not have the authority to order a ban, the entertainment industry turned to Congress for explicit authorization.”

Declan McCullagh. Senate May Hoist Broadcast Flag Again. News.com. Jan. 24, 2006.

CopyCense™: K. Matthew Dames on the intersection of business, law and technology. A business venture of Seso Digital LLC.