IP: more on MPAA wants all A/D converters to implement copyrightprotection.

[David Farber <dfarber () earthlink net>]

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Warren <jwarren () well com>
Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 09:17:24 
To: farber () cis upenn edu
Subject: Re: IP: MPAA wants all A/D converters to implement copyright
 protection.

> ------ Forwarded Message
> From: "Trei, Peter" <ptrei () rsasecurity com>
> ...
> In the name of protecting their business model, the MPAA
> proposes that every analog/digital (A/D) converter - one of
> the most basic of chips - be required to check for US
> government mandated copyright flags. ...

Assuming this is true, it smells very-much like a standard ploy when 
lobbying a legislative body:  Propose something that is completely 
extreme -- far, far beyond anything that you really want or expect -- 
then "give up" on your proposal and "sadly support" a somewhat less 
extreme measure that is EXACTLY what you desired ... thus seeming to 
have negotiated a "fair" result after "giving in" on "important" 
positions.

(It's also a standard ploy in collective bargaining ... and for that 
matter, in submitting personal budgets for approval. :-)

--jim
Jim Warren; jwarren () well com, technology & public policy columnist & advocate
345 Swett, Woodside CA 94062 U.S.A.; 650-851-7075; fax/off due to spam-glut

[self-inflating puffery: Playboy Foundation Hugh Hefner First-Amendment Award;
Soc.of Prof.Journalists-Nor.Calif. James Madison Freedom-of-Information Award;
founded InfoWorld, DataCast Magazine, and Computers, Freedom & Privacy Confs.;
Electronic Frontier Foundation's Pioneer Award (in its first year), blah blah]

For archives see:
http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/