p2pnet - rss feed: FCC approves Broadcast flag for digital tv
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has now formally approved the Hollywood inspired broadcast flag for digital TV.
It’ll be implemented, “at the discretion of the broadcaster” and, “The FCC declined to prohibit the use of the flag with regard to certain types of programming, such as news or public affairs.”
Under it, digital televisions must be able to receive and recognize an electronic ‘flag’ broadcasters can embed in their programming to “foster the transition to digital TV and forestall potential harm to the viability of free, over-the-air broadcasting in the digital age,” states the FCC here.
“The broadcast flag rule forces manufacturers to remove useful recording features from television products you can buy today,” says EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) staff technologist Seth Schoen. “The FCC has decided that the way to get Americans to adopt digital DTV is to make it cost more and do less.”
However, “Today’s decision by the FCC is an historic step forward for consumers,” crow Viacom/CBS in a statement. “By mandating broadcast flag technology in devices equipped to receive digital broadcast television, the Commission has resolved to protect broadcast content and ensure that Americans will continue to receive free, high quality programming in the digital age.”
All existing equipment in use by consumers today will remain fully functional, going on:
“Thus, consumers can continue to use existing equipment without purchasing new or additional equipment to receive and view broadcast television signals.
“The new rule requires that DTV reception devices containing demodulators recognize and give effect to the broadcast flag pursuant to certain compliance and robustness rules.
“‘Compliance’ refers to what the covered demodulator can do with the broadcast content. If the flag is present, the content can be sent in one of several permissible ways, including (1) over an analog output, e.g. to existing analog equipment; or (2) over a digital output associated with an approved content protection or recording technology.
” ‘Robustness’ refers to the ability to hack the system. The FCC adopted an ‘ordinary user’ robustness standard that will afford consumer electronics, IT and PC manufacturers the maximum flexibility in innovation while ensuring adequate content security.”
