Friday, March 22, 2002

Meet the New Bill, Same as the Old Bill -- 8:59 am CST, Update by A.T. Hun

Senator Fritz Hollings (D-SC) has reintroduced the SSSCA now as the Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act (CBDTPA). This bill would make copy protection on all consumer electronics mandatory. Here's my favorite quote from the "Senator from Disney":

Hollings said that "any device that can legitimately play, copy or electronically transmit one or more categories of media also can be misused for illegal copyright infringement, unless special protection technologies are incorporated."

So basically if you own a computer, you are a potential thief. Thus the government needs to step in and protect the multi-billion dollar entertainment industry from us unwashed masses. I hope everyone in the South Carolina, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and California remembers this bill when the sponsor senators come up for re-election.

A news post on Ars Technica shows how Hollings talks out of both sides of his mouth on the issue. I would like someone to explain to me how draconian copy protection will stimulate people to buy HDTV and expand broadband services (Check his press release! It's all in there!) Here's an idea: how about actually going after the criminals instead of making everyone a criminal? Nah, that would make sense.

If you are a resident of Wisconsin (like The Master and I are) click on the following links to contact Senator Russ Feingold and Senator Herb Kohl. If you are from another state, you can find a link to your Senators' information on this page. It is always best to send a snail-mail letter, but time may be of the essence here. Remember, be calm and rational. Sending an email saying, "Vote against the CBDTPA or you suck" will not help anybody.

UPDATE! I just got off the phone with Senator Feingold and Senator Kohl's offices. And yes, I gave them my name (not A.T. Hun, either) and my snail-mail address. I told them that while I am against piracy, I had grave concerns that this bill would eliminate the "fair use" of copyrighted materials and would actually slow the expansion of HDTV and broadband. Put democracy to work!

News for 03/22/2002

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