EFF And MPAA On Broadcast Flags

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."

Comments

Protecting the status quo will lead to a downfall

[canadian_right]

The USA is an empire in decline. It started with rapid growth and high ideals, but has reached a plateau where it seeks to protect what it has instead of working to garner new rewards. History has shown that empires that protect the current large commercial enterprises at the expense of up and coming enterprise are soon eclisped by others without a domestic monopoly to protect.

Spain plundered the new world, but did little to invest in its own growth. Spain was overtaken by a more vibrant English entrepeneurship. The English in turn were overtaken by the Americans. The USA is slowly shifting from invovation and competition to protecting its current "turf". The symptons are numerous and not confined to the high-tech sector: steel tarrifs, soft-wood lumber tarrifs, encryption restrictions, computer export restriction, copyright extension, patent extension into software and process, and of course the DMCA and its bretheren.

I believe that I will see the USA lose its place of dominance within my lifetime as it stifles its own inovators in favour of the monied and stagnat corporate giants who hold sway over short-sighted and venal politicians.

From a Canadian point of view, this is a good thing.