[opendtv] News: Reps Back Broadcast Flag
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: OpenDTV Mail List <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2005 12:09:16 -0400
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6262180.html?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP
Reps Back Broadcast Flag
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/30/2005 3:27:00 PM
Twenty representatives, including many members of the House
Telecommunications Subcommittee, have written Subcommitte Chairmen
Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) backing reinstatement of
the broadcast flag.
Back in May, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington ruled that the
FCC overstepped its authority when it required manufacturers of
digital TVs to include "broadcast flag" technology to protect
programming content from piracy.
Broadcasters and Hollywood say a strong safeguard against illegal
copying must be in place if TV stations are going to be allowed to
air digital versions of the latest movies and other valuable
programming.
Fair use advocates, led by Public Knowledge, say it threatens fair
uses of that material by schools, libraries and individuals.
The legislators, which included Republican subcommittee members John
Shimkus and Charles Pickering and Democrat members Albert Wynn and
Charles Gonzalez, argue that the flag is necessary to spur the
transition to digital and to preserve free TV by making it
competitive with other media.
"The timely preservation of free, over-the-air television is
essential to a smooth and timely transition to digital television,
and the implementation of the broadcast flag plays a vital role in
this undertaking."
Public Knowledge responded Friday: "We agree with the letter in its
view of the importance of local broadcasting as a provider of local
news, events and information to consumers. However, we see no link
between the continued provision of that valuable service and the
broadcast flag. There is no evidence even to suggest that any
programming would be withheld without a broadcast flag regime."
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