[IP] FCC readies rule to block Internet piracy

Delivered-To: dfarber+@ux13.sp.cs.cmu.edu Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2003 08:10:34 -0700 From: Dewayne Hendricks =

FCC readies rule to block Internet piracy

By Jonathan Krim, Washington Post, 10/19/2003 <http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2003/10/19/fcc_readies_rule_t o_block_internet_piracy/>

WASHINGTON -- The federal government is preparing for the first time to require that personal computers and other consumer electronics devices contain technology to help block Internet piracy of digital entertainment. A rule being considered by the Federal Communications Commission is one of a series of proposals pushed by the entertainment industry to help thwart copying and online trading of movies and television shows that increasingly are being broadcast in digital form with high-quality picture and sound.

But the new rule also would force consumers to purchase new equipment if they wanted to record enhanced digital-quality television programs and replay them on other machines.

Opponents of the proposed rule, including many technology companies and consumer groups, say it won't work. They are especially concerned that the plan might lead to government regulation of how personal computers and other devices are built, particularly if hackers crack the system and further changes are deemed necessary.

FCC officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they expect the agency to settle on details of the "broadcast flag" rule by the end of the month. The broadcast flag takes its name from the computer code that would be embedded in digital television signals and would be read by "compliant" devices such as a television or a digital video recorder.

The rule would not affect consumers who record shows with VCRs. Nor would it affect programming received on a cable or satellite system, in part because consumers pay for that content.

But the entertainment industry does not want digitally enhanced "high-value" entertainment sent free over the air to be easily copied and distributed on the Internet.

FCC officials said they expect the final rule to enable competition among different means of deploying the flag system to protect broadcasts, rather than the government anointing one in particular.

Unlike with recent FCC decisions on high-speed Internet access and media consolidation that have deeply split the five-member commission, none of the three Republicans and two Democrats has led a public campaign against the broadcast flag.

"I'm optimistic we'll have a clean majority," said one senior agency official. "The commission has acted in the area of digital television in a very bipartisan fashion."

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