My original article on the VChip for PCs: http://cgi.pathfinder.com/netly/opinion/0,1042,1528,00.html -Declan ********** Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 10:37:34 -0800 From: Robert Cannon <cannon@DC.NET> Subject: Re: VCHIP (was Son of CDA)

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David Lesher <wb8foz@NRK.COM> 11/14/97 09:37am >>> Cassidy Sehgal sez:

The FCC proceedings currently on the mandatory inclusion of the V-Chip in televisions also refer to including the chip in personal computers. I think that is the back door the administration and groups like CDT are looking for to censor the net.

If I recall correctly, that was an interpretation by a reporter and has been revised...

The interpretation of the proceeding is correct. There has been no revision. There have been quotes in the press from FCC officials stating VCHIP does not apply to PCs because PCs cant display broadcast. This is inaccurate. Here is the language from the rulemaking itself: <SNIP> Para. 22: Other Television Receiving Apparatus. . . . In addition, personal computer systems, which are not traditionally thought of as television receivers, are already being sold with the capability to view television and other video programming. Section 551(c) of the Telecommunications Act makes it clear that the program blocking requirements were intended to apply to any "apparatus designed to receive television signals" that has a picture screen of 13 inches or larger. Accordingly, we believe that the program blocking requirements we are proposing should apply to any television receiver meeting the screen size requirements, regardless of whether it is designed to receive video programming that is distributed only through cable television systems, MDS, DBS, or by some other distribution system. These requirements would also apply to any computer that is sold with TV receiver capability and a monitor that has a viewable picture size of 13 inches or larger, as we currently do for closed captioning. <END SNIP> First, there have been a series of articles lately on technical developments for computers. There is the expectancy that soon all PC's will be able to receive and display broadcast signals. W3C is developing a standard for the display of broadcast over the Internet. So, if all future PC's can display broadcast, they fall under the provisions of para 22. See Spec to bring TV-like content to Net C|NET November 6, 1997; W3C Issues First Public Draft of Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL): Key Industry Players and Research Organisations Team-Up to Merge the Web with Television (Nov 6, 1997); Changing Channels: Will the Internet Become TV, PC Magazine (November 1997). Second, if they fall under para. 22, then the VCHIP would be required to block the transmission, whatever the source. Para 22 states that the VCHIP will block "video programming that is distributed . . . by some other distribution system." Arguably, the Internet falls under "some other distribution system. Final thought, if you think this analysis is wrong, make sure you file comments with the FCC by November 24 at vchip@fcc.gov telling them so. Make sure the FCC understands this issue the way you think it should be understood. -Robert Cannon Internet Telecommunications Project http://www.cais.net/cannon/