Senate Bill May Ban Streaming MP3s

Silverhammer writes "According to the EFF, a new Senate bill (S. 2644) sponsored by Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Graham (R-SC) would effectively ban streaming MP3 for licensed music by requireing 'casters to use the most restrictive streaming format available (e.g., Windows Media or Real) rather than simply the most restrictive features of a chosen streaming format (e.g., Shoutcast or streaming MP3)." From the article: "The PERFORM Act would ... requir[e] webcasters to use DRM that restricts the recording of webcasts. That means no more MP3 streams if you rely on the statutory license. Under the bill, the statutory license would only be available to a webcaster if: [114(d)(2)(C)(vi)] the transmitting entity takes no affirmative steps to authorize, enable, cause or induce the making of a copy or phonorecord by or for the transmission recipient and uses technology that is reasonably available, technologically feasible, and economically reasonable to prevent the making of copies or phonorecords embodying the transmission in whole or in part, except for reasonable recording as defined in this subsection."

Comments

Re:Not like it matters

[malraid]

Piracy has only one reason to exist: to fund terrorism. But it's not like *I* said it. Alberto Gonzales said it: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/article_displ ay.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001477589.

So I guess it can be put under the umbrella of war on terror.

Re:Well, that's democracy for ya

[collectivescott]

Are you serious? Stock dividends are pitiful compared to what they once were. The real money is in prediction of hype. The market sustains itself by drawing more money in, not returning it. The money isn't going to your grandma unless she picks the next microsoft or dell. Instead, the money is going into the hands of a relatively small group. The group is just a little larger now.

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/P110762.asp

Guarenteed that all top oil execs are making tens of millions of dollars right now, once you throw in stock options, benefits, bonuses, and pensions. Meanwhile, it costs over 40 dollars to fill up your gas tank. Not that oil is unique, its just a good example. Which leads us to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_stratificati on

Re:Well, that's democracy for ya

[CreatureComfort]

I understand your point. I can even logically follow along and agree with your arguement.

But somehow, the CEO still ends up with the new yacht, and the pensions go unfunded...

Secure Audio Path

[tepples]

Just use Total Recorder

Total Recorder is a shim driver. Shim drivers don't work if your streaming station requires the Secure Audio Path, which works only on audio output drivers that have been signed by Microsoft as conforming to Windows Media Digital Restrictions Management rules. Drivers must turn off all cleartext digital outputs as a condition of getting signed; all unsigned drivers get silence. But ye still cannae stop the analog hole.

Re:Not like it matters

[moro_666]

It's the people that vote for them

  It's so sweet to see that some people still naively believe in the hoax of democracy and think that they elect the leaders and therefor the new good time will start :)

  It doesn't matter what's the name of the player that is sitting on the chair, it matters what is behind him. in united states it's either bad guys who have been paid off by the industry or the other bad guys who have done exactly the same. you can change the name on the chairs every day if you want to, but nothing will change (too little too late).

  You already tried it out, some people voted arnold to become the head of california ... and guess what, nothing changed (except some ashaming pr events). The parties could aswell put rubber puppets onto the chairs, the effect will remain the same.

  And even if through some miracle you could get an independent candidate up there, then most of the time he has to continue or fix up the mess of the previous man at the job. Without the help from a big strong (offpaid) party, he/she doesn't have the time to go to the toilet and therefor the stuff that you elected for, you still won't get :)

  Democracy died a long time ago, at least on that side of the atlantic ocean.

Re:Not like it matters

[collectivescott]

But I'm not misrepresenting anything. I'm glad you follow the sentiment, but don't be afraid to accept the reality. Some people may not have their facts straight, but what I speak is truth.

Regarding Iraq: They are Americans dying as a result of our government policy, which was the point. That they were aware of the risk they were taking does not make their deaths any less tragic, or "count less" as you seem to imply.

You can't honestly compare marijuana prohibition with alcohol regulation With alcohol, you are penalized for how you behave under the influence, not the fact that you have a receipt in your wallet. And you don't get arrested for being drunk in a bar, unless you start a fight or cause a great disturbance. The liquor store can't sell you liquor if you already look trashed, but that's to stop you from hurting yourself, and you don't get in trouble for it. We learned the hard way that people can't drive when drunk, but we didn't turn around and ban alcohol, did we?

>Likewise I imagine if you are getting busted for drugs you are being busted in a public location, are cultivating it outside, or selling significant amounts.

Cops go after the most visible targets, sure, and as a result most arrests are for mere posession. (see bottom) Because of the demand, economics dictates that a black market will exist. As the legal deterrants increase (jail time, property seizure, mandatory minimums), dealers will become increasingly dangerous, as their freedom is on the line. Meanwhile, the steady stream of arrests, especially in certain minority communities, erodes public trust in the police, and crime increases. The only reason this hasn't exploded already is because a lot of the people affected are still locked up.

"There have been more than 3.7 million marijuana arrests this decade [1990-2000]. Eighty-three percent of these arrests were for possession only.
Marijuana arrests rose every year since 1991, reaching an all time high of 695,200 in 1997. Marijuana arrests increased 59 percent during this period. Conversely, use of marijuana by adults remained unchanged."
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4015

Look at the graphs supplied by the US Department of Justice:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/dcf/enforce.htm

The arrests just go up and up. And yet we underfund drug rehabilitation programs. Good policy. Can't stop now, there's a war going on.

I called Senator Feinstein's office about this

[jfern]

Here are her numbers:

DC: 202-224-3841
SF: 415-393-0707
LA: 310-914-7300
SD: 619-231-9712
Fresno: 559-485-7430

Or you can e-mail her here:
http://feinstein.senate.gov/email.htm