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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."
is that this technology appears to make a whole generation of older video devices (TV's, VCR's, etc.) that are still working fine obsolete.
I have a 20-year old RCA 19-inch console TV that is still working fine. I don't want to buy another just because of some damn 'broadcast flag' not letting watch my shows.
CMDRTACO CHECK YOUR EMAIL!
...You should pay for it, be it software, music, movies, still pictures, or books.
Only the owner can run a printing press and sell their own copyrighted material. When the owner gives up that right, or the copyright expires, then anyone may duplicate the materials.
Pretty simple, right?
Users easily fall into the trap of "It's so easy to do it for *free*, why should I pay some publishing or record company a duplicating fee?" The answer is that you still owe the author or artist due compensation.
The record, movie, and book companies are going to give way to other forms of distribution that will collect royalties. ASCAP already collects fees from radio stations, it would be easy for them to get into the internet distribution business!
Have you Meta Moderated t
Politicians are controlled by those who give them money. That stated, a different, and more pleasant, set of people sponsor Kerry and are putting as much money as possible into defeating Bush (The Sierra Club and Moveon.org, for a couple examples of major groups involved in spending this time around).
Vote for Nader? No! Vote for me. You're doing just as much for your country, and your supposed conscience that makes you vote for a candidate that has no chance to win will feel EVEN BETTER knowing it's casting a vote for somebody who feels the need to be politically active the year round, rather than showing up on the political scene every four years to reap the benefits of my pro-consumer activism from years and years ago. I'm more leftist than he is, and I'm beholden to nobody, as nobody is giving me any money at all.
I can understand voting for the man in 2002 in an attempt to establish a third party, but right now he's running on his own, as an independent. All you're doing is ensuring a greater evil wins. You have the right to vote for whomever you choose-- feel free to put down Nader-- but know that you may as well be writing down your own name on that ballot, as you have just as good a chance to win as he does.
"Anonymous cowards are just K-whores afraid of their accounts being modded down." - Bob the O (me)