Slashdot Mirror
More Details on the CBDTPA
Gemini and many others wrote in with still more info regarding CBDTPA, formerly the SSSCA. Wired has a story. Cryptome has transcribed the text. The Senate Judiciary Committee has a web-form where you can submit comments (although directly contacting your representatives may be better). IMHO, the best thing people can do is explain to less-knowledgeable folks exactly what is at stake. When ABC News (Disney) and Fox News (News Corporation) discuss this, they're not going to be spending much time talking about the downside. Update: 03/23 00:55 GMT by M : EFF has an alert with a sample letter to Congress and background on the issue.
The Politech site has more background here, including press releases from supporters and opponents. EFF and ACLU have not said anything on this new bill yet -- I hardly think they support it, but some statements would be nice.
so you want to tell your Senators "vote no on S 2048". They'll understand...
The SCO lawsuit makes me wish my company were in Utah. We need a new building.
"When ABC News (Disney) and Fox News (News Corporation) discuss this, they're not going to be spending much time talking about the downside."
That's odd. Fox News did an article bashing the SSSCA. Not that I like Fox News that much, but like MSNBC, they aren't going to skew their story to what their company feels. That would just piss off readers.
Zodiac Survey
the callers as a whole seemed pretty well current on the issues, knowledgeable about the technology, and anti-SSSCA.
I am the very model of a modern major general!
Your senator is right - I don't think anyone can dispute these numbers. Not even Slashdot, unfortunately. However,
Thousands of cars run red lights and hundreds of thousands of cars speed every day.
If the act in the Senate suggests embedding copyright management technology in all digital devices, then for the same reason we should also embed technology in every single car sold in this country that prevents the car from running red lights and speeding. A car manufacturer will tell you it is impossible to create that technology (how does a car know if it's near a red light? What about scooting around the corner to let the firetruck through, or avoid the semi behind you?). And Slashdot will tell you that it is equally impossible to protect copyrights in a reasonable and fair manner on digital devices - there are too many unknowns (some things don't have to be copyrighted, not everyone has access to the copyright protection standards or certifications, etc.).
This is a classic case of enforcing existing laws. We already have laws against speeding; we already have laws against unauthorized copying of copyrighted material. There is no need to mandate that technology change to enforce existing laws - instead, just enforce the existing laws!
A witty [sig] proves nothing. --Voltaire
Senate contact info, sorted by state
Just got off the phone with my Senators, much like many others have. It only took 5 minutes at the *MOST* and went a bit like this:
1) Look up their website here
2) Go to their web page and get their local office phone number.,
3) Call number.
4) Simply tell the person, "Hi, I am (your name), from (your city), (your state) and I would like to register my opposition to SB 2048".
One of them had me spell my name, and the other asked me what SB 2048 was. In case you forget, it's the CBDTPA (Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act).
*Condense fact from the vapor of nuance*
The hired help in DC have set up web site for comments, and the comments are, at the moment, unanimously opposed to the bill. Check it out.
Build stuff. Stuff that walks, stuff that rolls, whatever.
Did you all see this article?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,48567,00.html
It appears to be yet another article from Fox on the subject.
The most interesting thing I find about all this is the Business Software Alliance is opposed to this bill. For those who don't know, the BSA is the alliance of companices like Microsoft and Adobe that audit random companys, extorting money from them for failed license compliance. Basiclly, if the BSA is opposed that must mean MS is opposed as well. I am curious why they are not more vocal about this issue? And perhaps we will see some more favorable press towards it on MSNBC? Interesting indeed.
Go to Comments to the Senate Judiciary Committee and check out the comment by Stuart Ballard. +5 insightful doesn't do it justice.
Ctrl-F is your friend. Now go.
You want the truthiness? You can't handle the truthiness!
I am a Citizen. I pay my taxes, I go to work, I try to trust my government that they will do the right thing.
This is complete HORSESHIT to say that I cannot do what I want with the computer I Paid for.
This is called corruption.
-----------
corruption
n 1: lack of integrity or honesty; esp susceptibility to bribery; use of a position of trust for dishonest gain.
HELLO commerce committee, you are corrupt and terrible people and should have NO PLACE ON EARTH TO REPRESENT ANYONE.
This page left intentionally blank.