Yesterday, the FCC approved rules that would insert a digital marker into the data stream being transmitted. The goal is to block people from sharing movies and TV shows recorded from their televisions. Officials say that the technology will allow people to record for their personal use, just not share.
Consumer groups are concerned:
“More than 40 million DVD players in consumers’ homes today will not be able to play content they record on new ‘flagged’ devices, making them at least partially obsolete,” said Chris Murray, legislative counsel at Consumers Union. “Technology always marches on, but that’s normally because new devices offer consumers better features and more flexibility to woo buyers in the marketplace, not because government fiat has rendered a particular technology obsolete. This time, the F.C.C.’s ‘upgrade’ will be a downgrade for consumers.”
The rules may also make it impossible to share content that is in the public domain. As icing on the cake, the rules could allow technology to track the viewing habits of consumers.
Hopefully the government, businesses, and technology innovators will figure out effective ways to handle new technology and copyright issues soon. This certainly doesn’t seem like the answer.
catbird :: Nov.05.2003 ::
technology ::
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