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NBC Activates Broadcast Flag

I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "NBC activated the 'broadcast flag' on a number of shows this week, ranging from American Gladiator to Medium, which prevented compliant programs like Windows Media Center from recording them. The matter is being 'looked into,' but that doesn't tell us whether it was an accident or a ploy to see how outraged viewers would be at being stripped of the time-shifting rights they've enjoyed ever since Sony v. Universal. Just in case it's the latter, it wouldn't hurt to let them know what you think."

2 of 430 comments (clear)

  1. Only Vista DRM has a problem by jkrise · · Score: 5, Informative

    Not the XP drivers or TiVo. Microsoft should be answering this.

    http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/45/262419/ShowThread.aspx

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    If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
  2. Mr. Rogers is crying. by bigattichouse · · Score: 5, Informative

    Fred Rogers would shake his head and shed a tear. (from wikipedia) During the controversy surrounding the introduction of the household VCR, Rogers was involved in supporting the manufacturers of VCRs in court. His 1979 testimony in the case Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc. noted that he did not object to home recording of his television programs, for instance, by families in order to watch together at a later time. This testimony contrasted with the views of others in the television industry who objected to home recording or believed that devices to facilitate it should be taxed or regulated.

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    meh