11 NOV, 2003 - 1140 CST The FCC is running amok on other issues besides BPL. Only in this case, instead of allegedly fostering competition, it is doing exactly the opposite. If this edict is allowed to stand, televisions in the future will be severely restricted in what they will be able to receive without paying a fee. In fact, consumers may find it difficult to view home videos of family vacations, etc. on their digital TVs. If the courts fail to overrule the FCC on this issue, congress should again override the commission. The message appended below is courtesy of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). 73 - Dick, W9GIG ==================================================================== * FCC Adopts Hollywood Tech Mandate "Broadcast Flag" Stymies Innovation, Fair Use, and Competition Washington, DC - Claiming that it is an "anti-piracy mechanism," the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last week issued an order mandating that consumer devices capable of receiving broadcast digital television (DTV) signals must implement content control technologies demanded by the entertainment industry. The "broadcast flag" mandate will go into effect by July 1, 2005. "The FCC today has taken a step that will shape the future of television," said EFF Senior Intellectual Property Attorney Fred Von Lohmann. "Sadly, this represents a step in the wrong direction, a step that will undermine innovation, fair use, and competition." "The broadcast flag rule forces manufacturers to remove useful recording features from television products you can buy today," said EFF Staff Technologist Seth Schoen. "The FCC has decided that the way to get Americans to adopt digital TV is to make it cost more and do less." For this media release: <http://www.eff.org/IP/Video/HDTV/20031104_eff_pr.php> EFF's broadcast flag archive: <http://www.eff.org/IP/Video/HDTV/> FCC order: <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-273A1.pdf>