FCC "broadcast flag" approved [LWN.net]

FCC "broadcast flag" approved

Posted Nov 5, 2003 19:17 UTC (Wed) by LogicG8 (guest, #11076)
In reply to: FCC "broadcast flag" approved by clugstj
Parent article: FCC "broadcast flag" approved

They most definately can use the DMCA to stifle
devices which circumvent the stupid little flag.

The DMCA specifically prohibits devices whose
primary purpose is circumventing protection of
copyrighted material.

The broadcasts are copyrighted material, the flag
even though it is silly is a "technological measure
to protect copyrighted material".

The open nature format will prevent people from
invoking the DMCA to stifle research into
circumvention. So the technical elite will be
able to get around the "speed bump".

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FCC "broadcast flag" approved

Posted Nov 5, 2003 19:22 UTC (Wed) by clugstj (subscriber, #4020) [Link]

I believe it has to be more than simply a flag. Something like encryption, such as CSS (lame as it is).

FCC "broadcast flag" approved

Posted Nov 5, 2003 19:45 UTC (Wed) by Ross (subscriber, #4065) [Link]

I don't think so. It has to be an effective control. The FCC requires
that it can not be circumented easily by an end user. That sounds likely
to invoke the DMCA.

Land of the Free?

Posted Nov 6, 2003 0:54 UTC (Thu) by mdekkers (guest, #85) [Link]

This is not an anti-US rant (just disclaiming in case I get arrested)

Everywhere I look, the "Land of the Free" seems to become less so every day - the single highest prison population in the world (ironic, isn't it) and a serious boatload of stupid laws and rules designed to make the rich richer faster, while keeping the "normal" people "normal". Broadcast flag? huh? how stupid is is that? DMCA? that is like "I don't care what you are up to but I don't like it, go to jail" card. With all the silly restrictions and such, I fail to see how you are significantly Free-er then anyone else.....