Broadcast Flag Technologies Open For Comment

An anonymous reader submits "The Broadcast Flag Rule, discussed here(1) and here(2) controls redistribution of digital television by requring receivers to restrict the output of content to certain outputs. One of the most influential concerns as to how bad this will be is what digital output and recording technologies are approved for use. Today, a Public Notice has been issued listing the technologies submitted for approval. This is the public's chance to comment on these submissions. The information provided to the FCC can be found using the Electronic Comment Filing System and searching based on the docket number from the Public Notice. Comments can also be submitted using ECFS."

Comments

An observation

[(trb001)]

Why do they think this will work? Has digital DRM worked yet? All it takes is one person to design a digital filter, post the instructions on the internet, and they've just lost the ability to control content. This is gonna make cable descrambling look like a side project.

--trb

Not to be cynical

[HunterD]

Not to be cynical, because I respect people participating in our democracy, but what's the point? Michael Powell blatently ignores the public commentary EVERY time, and sides with big business 100% of the time over the comsumer. The man has yet to make even one pro consumer decision since taking the reigns of the FCC.

Realistically, we are not going to make a difference on this no matter how many of us post, because the FCC doesn't give one whit about consumers currently. If you really want this to have even a remote chance of working out for the best, take action by voting Kerry.

Devon Jones

And that's for TV, right?

[NickFusion]

So, there's some technology that's going to make it more difficult and less rewarding to watch TV?

Yeah, I'll take some of that.

I was having a conversation with someone about this today.

Does anybody watch TV anymore? Aren't there more interesting things going on? Do people talk about TV shows at work, or is it games these days?

Is a Tivo full of "Dharma and Greg" really the key to eternal bliss?

Anyway, if someone wants a mutiny on a sinking ship, I say let him wear the captain's hat.

All the more reason

[God Takeru]

All the more reason to comment. There are infinitely more of 'us' than there are of 'them.' The simplest way to beat the system is to get as many people involved as possible: it takes a lot more manpower to raid the houses of a hundred thousand than of ten. If there's enough public dissent, whether or not we're written off, we can prevent them from going after others by showing number solidarity-- and when people look back, the history books won't say "...and nobody tried to help."

More seriously as to all of this, I am a little tired of the cynical view on issues, speaking as a cynic: My vote may or may not be actually counted, my opinion may or may not be listened to, I'm pretty sure they're probably not. Either way, though, isn't it worth a little effort, and a little fight, just to try? If you're right, sure, your efforts amount to nothing-- but why not give it a try, just in case you may be wrong?

Just because you're cynical doesn't mean you have to be apathetic.

Re:You forgot about nipples

[HunterD]

I couldn't agree more. The concept of a nipple on TV being the end of decency is a farce.

One of (I think it was MSNBC's anchors) referred to it as the biggest scandle he could /think/ of. *pshaw* this is nothign compared to gettign US servicement killed in another country based on a mound of lies and damn lies.