Upset about the broadcast flag

If you are, you are not alone. The question is whether this will become a popular issue — as with media ownership. The likelihood is that it will, but the problem with an uprising is that the FCC order itself is remarkably slippery. FCC can respond: “we're not hurting consumers or innovation — all we have done is create an interim process, and we're all for new content protection (not copy protection!) devices. Bring on your applications! We're here to help!”
It's hard to fight against this, and the anti-flag contingent has to come up with very simple soundbites that get to consumers in the same way hatred of Clear Channel did (probably wrongly) in the media ownership proceeding. Something like: “once you buy your first approved digital TV, you'll have to replace everything in your house. And, gradually, you'll have to get permission to do most things you now assume you can do legally.”
Tough argument.

November 9, 2003 | Filed Under main page 

Comments

One Response to “Upset about the broadcast flag”

  1. Anonymous on November 10th, 2003 11:55 pm

    Here's an oldie but goodie, from November, 2002: Minds of Their Own.

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