Bane used our news submit to let us know that the US regulators will adopt strict limits in the coming weeks on what consumers can do with digital video content. This will likely be a set of rules that can be adapted to broadcasts and physical media as a set of broadcast flags. While consumers can still copy and backup 'flagged' content, they can only playback the content on their own equipment. The regulators aim to reduce piracy and illegal Internet distribution by the implementation of this technology.
There is a major problem in implementing these broadcast flags as new DVDs that implement this flag cannot be played back on existing DVD players and most digital TV sets, thus consumers will need new upgrades or equipment to playback 'flagged' content. Television-set set makers hope to implement the necessary equipment in their TV sets to support the broadcast flag on TVs from next year.
Bane wrote: It sounds like the limitations are justified. It sounds like it wouldn't limit "fair use" of the stuff though, so it's not going to limit my ability to make a copy and watch it in any room I want to. Only bad thing is that I'll need to buy new hardware.
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The Federal Communications Commission will likely adopt rules that will allow programmers to attach a code to digital broadcasts that will in most cases bar consumers from sending copies of popular shows around the world, said the officials, who declined to be identified. The approval, expected as early as next week, are intended as another step along the long road to higher-quality, crisper digital signals, which have been slow in coming because of worries about piracy, high-priced equipment and limited programming. An agency spokeswoman declined to comment on when the five commissioners would vote on the issue. Consumer advocates have warned that consumers will have to buy new DVD players if they want to play programs that have been recorded on machines that recognize the digital "flag." But agency officials stressed that that always happens when new technology hits the market. "It will simply prevent consumers from illegal piracy, from mass distribution over the Internet, which is the problem with the music file sharing," Kenneth Ferree, head of the FCC's media bureau, said. The music industry has been plagued over the last few years with consumers illegally sharing and copying songs over the Internet, which has led the recording industry to sue music downloaders for damages up to 0,000 per song. Consumers will still be able to make unlimited copies of their favorite shows and watch them in various rooms of their homes, but they will not be able to send them over unsecured networks until protections are established, the officials said. |
The US regulators are really asking for trouble if they expect over 50 million US DVD player owners to fork out for a new DVD player, just to support an anti-piracy feature! It is one thing to change from VHS to DVD as pretty much everyone can see a clear advantage, but changing from one DVD type to another just to improve anti-piracy features will surely upset many. This reminds me of the time when Sen. Fritz Hollings tried
introducing a bill that would force all digital equipment to enforce copy protection measures.
Source: CNET News
