Stopping The FCC From Imposing The Broadcast Flag Is Great, But It's Congress You Really Gotta Worry About

from the halfway-there dept

For some time now, the likes of the MPAA and RIAA have tried to get the US government to mandate the broadcast flag -- technology that would let content owners control how broadcast digital content could be consumed and recorded. Their initial strategy was to get the FCC to do the dirty work, but courts decided the Commission had overstepped its authority. Now, one senator who has opposed the broadcast flag before, John Sununu, is introducing legislation that would more clearly define boundaries for the FCC in similar matters by precluding it from imposing technology mandates on companies under its jurisdiction. Sununu specifically called out the broadcast flag, saying "the FCC has no business interfering in private industry to satisfy select special interests", and that its mandates promise only to stifle innovation and competition. That's remarkably sound tech talk from a legislator, and Sununu's effort should be applauded. However, since the court's ruling, the groups seeking the audio flag have shifted their strategy, and are now trying to get lawmakers to include the broadcast flag in other pieces of legislation. If Sununu is successful in limiting the FCC's ability to be the pawn of movie studios and record labels, what can he do to stop his fellow lawmakers who are happy to do so?
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  • identicon
    Republican Gun, 9 Jan 2007 @ 9:44am

    Shoot Fienstien

    Kill em! Kill em all!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      A real republican, 9 Jan 2007 @ 10:34am

      Re: Shoot Fienstien

      > Kill em! Kill em all!

      I see the democrats have already sent out their hitman on this thread.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 9 Jan 2007 @ 10:53am

        Re: Re: Shoot Fienstien

        And apparently the republicans have sent their own bitches to piss on the fire.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Billy, 9 Jan 2007 @ 11:08am

          Re: Re: Re: Shoot Fienstien

          I think drones or brainwashed minions might be more accurate than bitches.
          Just a thought.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Brian, 9 Jan 2007 @ 11:56am

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Shoot Fienstien

            Can we just agree that you're all morons?

            -Joking too.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 9 Jan 2007 @ 10:51am

      Re: Shoot Fienstien

      Yeah! Shoot em! Shoot em in the face!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    The infamous Joe, 9 Jan 2007 @ 9:51am

    Simple answer

    If Sununu is successful in limiting the FCC's ability to be the pawn of movie studios and record labels, what can he do to stop his fellow lawmakers who are happy to do so?


    Simple: Get rid of the movie studios and record labels. While we're at it, let's redefine the FCC back to their original purpose.

    Done and done.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 9 Jan 2007 @ 11:49am

    I though fienstien was dem that was in bed with the mpaa?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Matt Bennett, 9 Jan 2007 @ 11:58am

    It's cuz he's from New Hampshire. NH people are smarter.

    Live Free or Die, bithces!





    Anyone having luck googling me yet?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Bumbling old fool, 9 Jan 2007 @ 12:31pm

      Re:

      Anyone having luck googling me yet?

      No, because you have not provided a compelling reason to put forth such effort.

      Failing that you could at least provide the convenience of taking the effort out of googling you. (go ahead, click my name...)

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Bob, 9 Jan 2007 @ 12:14pm

    Forget about it

    Forget about changing the MPAA and RIAA. Lets start a new government. One by the people, for the people.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Brad Eleven, 9 Jan 2007 @ 1:30pm

    Mandate??

    Holy crap, the second time (in a row) today that I've seen this word misused.

    Wikipedia says that a mandate is the authority granted by an electorate to act as its representative.

    I think the word you're looking for is require.

    BTW, great post otherwise.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Overcast, 9 Jan 2007 @ 2:14pm

    There's only one thing that would stop this BS for good - a hardcore media boycott.

    But yeah - try to drag some people away from their TV..... good luck~

    And nice one B.O.F... hehehe

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 9 Jan 2007 @ 4:37pm

    Crap Post

    When I read a crap post like this, it really brings my estimation of the entire site down.

    Carlo: "Sununu specifically called out the broadcast flag, saying "the FCC has no business interfering in private industry to satisfy select special interests", and that its mandates promise only to stifle innovation and competition."

    "Innovation and competition"? We're talking about the broadcast industry! That's probably the least innovate and competitive industry there is.

    The whole post is nothing but silly rightwing propaganda.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 9 Jan 2007 @ 8:43pm

    refocus the fcc on its original mandate....

    get it back to its roots monitoring CB radio for people that say dirty words. CB radio is a great focus for them. we don't want them to have any time to watch any more superbowls.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 10 Jan 2007 @ 3:00am

    RIAA/MPAA: I want their names to rock'n'roll them all off.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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