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What Critics of the Critics of the FCC Rule Miss

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the how-will-it-roll-out dept.

Asprin writes "Businessweek has an editorial up which argues that the FCC's HDTV broadcast flag rule is a good thing, and that everyone is just overreacting. What the author is overlooking is that this rule gives exclusive control over production to the studios that are in "the club", essentially denying private citizens the right to make their own HDTV format video. To wit: "The problem comes when a program taped on an old VCR can't be replayed on a next-generation VCR. So consumers may experience some compatibility problems between machines as they upgrade." Awww, she almost gets it. (...and she was sooo close, too!) The problem is the word "consumers", which doesn't describe us anymore. There's nothing like being locked out of your own old family videos when your current VCR dies, eh?"

2 of 375 comments (clear)

  1. Only thieves would oppose this. by GaelenBurns · · Score: 4, Funny

    There's nothing like being locked out of your own old family videos when your current VCR dies, eh?

    No problem. Every law-abiding citizen will simply pay the licensing costs to obtain a broadcast flag of their own. Obviously.

  2. Pirates? by WookieinHeat · · Score: 3, Funny

    "All in all, the FCC has taken a reasonable first step. If consumers want their HDTV, they have to accept limits on the ability to redistribute TV shows on the Web. Shelter from pirates will help broadcasters venture into the digital era. And that will benefit everyone except the pirates."


    Arrr, shiver me timbers. You won't find much shelter on da high sea. Shes a harsh mistres.