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

Failure to think.

[gnovos]

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.

Any law that gives the power to do harm without consequences is ripe for abuse. The record companies themselves don't even need to be intentionally abusing thier powers, they just need to be predictable. If I don't like little Bobby, and I want his machine trashed, I just put up the latest pop band on Kazaa and spoof his ip address.