Hearings On Bills To "Promote" Digital TV

jsproul writes "The New York Times (registration required) is reporting that hearings will be held today on a bill by Billy Tauzin (R-Disney) to require the digital broadcast flag, end analog broadcasts by 2006, and (according to the Consumer Federation of America) obsolete VCRs and make taping of television shows subject to the control of broadcasters. Another bill by Howard Berman (D-Hollywood) will also be debated, which bill allows record companies to attack peer-to-peer networks without liability for 'accidental' damages."

Comments

A few random thoughts:

[ninewands]

The New York Times (registration required) is reporting that hearings will beThe New York Times (registration required) is reporting that hearings will be held today on a bill by Billy Tauzin R-Disney) to require the digital broadcast flag, end analog broadcasts by 2006, and (according to the Consumer Federation of America) obsolete VCRs and make taping of television shows subject to the control of broadcasters.

Now THIS is gonna go over with the voters like a lead balloon: "Mr. SixPacque, you will have to buy all new TVs within the next four years whether your current TVs need replacement or not. And, while you're at it, you better plan on buying new VCRs too, because come Football Day (oops, New Years Day) 2007, NONE of your old ones will work again." Nothing like a nice "pocketbook issue" to get the voters' attention.

Another bill by Howard Berman (D-Hollywood) will also be debated, which bill allows record companies to attack peer-to-peer networks without liability for 'accidental' damages."

Errm ... will somebody explain to Senator Berman from the Disney Party in the People's Republic of California that there's no such thing as 'accidental damages' when someone is attacked. The damage done is intentional! I find it interesting that Congress has within the last year passed a law that treats attacking a computer system as an act of terrorism, including the possibility of life imprisonment as a sentence for a convicted offender. Then the Congress Critters turn right around and wants to give the RIAA permission to commit this act of terrorism without fear of prosecution and with a shield against being sued for the harm they might cause! Seems to violate a little constitutional principle called "Equal Protection under the Law."