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EFF And MPAA On Broadcast Flags

Posted by timothy on from the little-markers-everywhere dept.

mpawlo writes: "Greplaw reports that a broadcast flag is a digital tagging technique used for television programs distributed through digital TV stations. The broadcast flag is used as information stating that the program may not be redistributed. It is not your everyday digital watermarking technique. The idea is to mandate a standard for a broadcast flag. The content providers, through The Motion Picture Association ('MPAA'), will most likely aim for the standard to be lobbied into a law through The Broadcast Protection Discussion Group. Hence, the law would require all hardware able to play the digital TV content to carry broadcast flag equipment (not playing unmarked content). The Electronic Frontier Foundation ('EFF') fears that a law stipulating the standard would threaten creativity. The MPAA has published a list of frequently asked questions ('FAQ') regarding broadcast flags. The EFF has commented the MPAA FAQ."

2 of 148 comments (clear)

  1. Ok ... i found the answer myself by Tensor · · Score: 4, Informative

    The last point of the EFF FAQ:

    Q: When the broadcast flag is implemented, can I record any TV program with my existing digital player/recorder and watch it later at more convenient time?

    MPAA answer: Yes. If you own an early model digital player/recorder, you will be able to record and playback time-shifted digital recordings of flagged broadcasts. These digital recordings will also play on legacy DVD players. However, when Broadcast Flag-compliant DTV receivers are introduced in the marketplace, their recordings will only play on other compliant players and not on older (legacy) devices. Of course, you can still record and playback digital programs with any existing analog videocassettes recorders/players. The broadcast flag does not affect what you have been able to do in the analog world.

    EFF comment: This answer confirms that "Compliant" devices produced under the BPDG-proposed rules are less capable than current-generation devices.

    i wonder if they also record device-specific information. like preventing me to watch a movie i recorded at my friend's house (digitally of course)

  2. Re:VHS Recording... by ckd · · Score: 4, Informative
    It is already legal to record anything shown on TV for personal use so I don't see how this extra 'bit flag' could become a reality...

    You don't mean "already". You mean "currently (despite the efforts of the MPAA)".

    I say to you that the VCR is to the American film producer and the American public as the Boston strangler is to the woman home alone.
    --Jack Valenti, testimony to Congress, 1982.

    2001: US prerecorded videocassette sales are approximately $4 billion.