IP: FCC INITIATES RULEMAKING TO EXPLORE DIGITAL COPYRIGHT PROTECTION --- note deadlines

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

[ time to ket your opinions be known djf]
FCC INITIATES RULEMAKING TO EXPLORE DIGITAL COPYRIGHT PROTECTION

In recognition of the fact that inadequate digital broadcast copy protection
is
a major impediment to the DTV transition process, the FCC issued a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to solicit comments on the jurisdictional and
policy basis for FCC action to protect copyright interests in digital
television content.  Some programmers may be reluctant to distribute content
in the absence of an effective scheme to prevent unauthorized copying and
redistribution of digital media.  Without high quality digital content,
consumers will be reluctant to buy (more expensive) digital television sets.
The FCC is considering whether the "broadcast flag" or some other content
control mark should be required; the effectiveness of any broadcast copy
protection system; the applicability of broadcast copy protection techniques
to programming carried over cable systems; whether the FCC should mandate a
specific copy protection standard, and if so who would make the
determination of which standard to use, and  how would they make that
determination; and the probable impact of copy protection requirements on
the ability to send DTV content over secure digital networks, and on
existing and future electronic technologies Comments on this issue are due
by October 30, 2002, with Reply Comments due by December 13, 2002.

For additional information, go to:
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-02-231A1.pdf>


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