flynn23 wrote:
] This is an interesting take. For one, I think you're
] forgetting that by the FCC adopting this rule, it means that
] devices that do not adhere to it are ILLEGAL! While I'm sure
] there will be some soft back peddling to grandfather things
] and to make it adaptable by consumer electronics folks, the
] point of this is that it criminalizes deviation from the rule.
] The FCC would view it like you're operating a pirate radio
] station. It doesn't matter whether you can hack HDTV in
] software. Not implementing the flag makes you a criminal.

Ok, so maybe my statements are a tad bit over the top in some respects.. However, my point was that no one who this aims to stop is going to care in the slightest that modifying their TV makes it illegal. It actually increases the value of the device. They didn't care about the illegal cable boxes, still don't.. I can still get any analogue descrambler I want, and thats illegal. I was told yesterday there is somewhere in town I can buy a hacked up digital cable box. I can download warez. I can trade music files.. I can possess an assault weapon. All these things are illegal, but no one who the laws aim to stop care enough to have it even be a speed bump in their moral highway..

Now, I know that my argument is lame if you are looking at it purely from a ethics perspective. But I also see these things are subtle attacks on democracy. So I'll happily be an extremist in this situation..

I just see this broadcast flag situation as doing nothing other then manufacturing criminal people and hardware. Its not going to stop piracy of broadcast shows..

Hrm.. "Piracy of broadcast" is an interesting doublespeak..

] Will this rule stand? I doubt it. The consumer electronics
] folks are not going to implement this without one helluva
] fight. The biggest reason is that the technology necessary to
] detect and decode the broadcast flag is (you guessed it)
] proprietary, and one company stands to benefit from its forced
] inclusion in all media devices. I'm sure you can also guess
] that several people in DC own shares in this company.

I think this is probably going to stand.. Companies like Tivo are going to find some way around this, or rather a way around this will be made for them.. I have not read the fine print, but the FCC ruling says that the hardware must support the broadcast flag. No problem. Companies will be able to make some deal that will allow them to "support" the flag, and under certain circumstances bypass it. Time shifting will be allowed, but the device will limit burning off of non-flagged shows. It will have to do with licensing the technology, not the FCC's rules. The FCC just mandates the technology is used in the hardware. As long as this doesn't break people's Tivos, it's going to make this issue "just not big enough" to really have the average consumer screaming in the streets. However, any entity that is not tossing large sums of money at the people in charge for the rights to make their equipment is going to be in the criminal territory. Thats anyone messing with software like MythTV. And that's "me and my friends", as usual..

I may have been wrong about my "digital divide" not being connected to wealth, or at the very least that angle isn't going away. If you can afford the hardware thats made by the people who send large sums of money to the man, you are cool all cool.. However, if you are trying to build your own tivo like device, you are going to be breaking the law..

Read: To innovate without an angel in a position of power, you will be breaking the law. Thats the situation I'm expecting..

] But let's just suppose it does stand, at least temporarily.
] After all, who would've thought some of the crap that's
] happened over the last few years would've happened, right?
] Combine this with all the crap in privacy and data mining.
] This might sound cheeky, but I can totally see a percentage of
] the population that prefers to be Max Headroom-ish Blanks.
] People with no record anywhere. This would be very punk rock
] indeed, since they'd be required to have the DIY ethic in
] order to survive (unless they all lived in Montana or
] something). It could definitely impact a lot of areas of life,
] as I imagine this would be a sizeable demographic.

Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. Falling off the radar isn't really an option. I want to be free damnit, not on the run because I want to hack Tivo like code. Thats just fucked up. Thats not American. Its more evidence of a trend that scares the hell out of me.

RE: FCC Approves Internet Anti-Piracy Tool