New bill introduced to mandate DRM, restrict recording off of satellite radio, TV, Internet...

[meldroc]

Now that the election's done, and our politicians don't have to worry about their jobs for two years, it's time for the nasty, unpopular, fascist legislation to come through the woodwork. Looks like both Democrats and Republicans are joining up again to act as the Big Business Party... :mad:

Senators introduce bill to restrict Internet, cable, and satellite radio recording

A new bill introduced in the US Senate this week would force satellite, digital, and Internet radio providers (but not over-the-air radio) to implement measures designed to restrict the ability of listeners to record audio from the services. Called the "Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music Act" (PERFORM), the bill is sponsored by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Joseph Biden (D-DE), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

...

Like its predecessor, the new legislation would require content protection on all satellite radio broadcasts along with cable and Internet broadcasts. Broadcasters would be required to "use reasonably available and economically reasonable technology to prevent music theft." But that's not bad for consumers, says Sen. Feinstein, who tells us that "consumers' current recording habits" will not be inhibited as they will still be allowed to record by time period or station. However, they would be prevented from automatically cherry-picking all the Shakira songs from the services.

The bill would also get the government into the business of price controls, with content providers required to pay a predetermined "fair market value" for the use of the music libraries. If another company decides to enter the unprofitable satellite radio market in the future, it too, would be forced to pay the same rates as XM Radio and Sirius.

The music industry's overexaggerated fears of piracy are driving the legislation, just as they did last year. "New radio services are allowing users to do more than simply listen to music. What was once a passive listening experience has turned into a forum where users can record, manipulate, collect and create personalized music libraries," said Sen. Feinstein. "As the modes of distribution change and the technologies change, so must our laws change."

So far the Consumer Electronics Association has expressed opposition to this destruction of Fair Use, but we need a larger outcry, otherwise the RIAA & MPAA will cause even more electronic lockdown and restriction of our freedoms then they already have. They absolutely will not stop, ever, until our liberties are dead.

[Solo_in_MD]

1. I'd expect it from repukes, but it really pisses me off to see our side sell out like this

[FormerDittoHead]

2. Was THIS why we voted Democrats in???? Who do we support to fight this, EFF?

I don't recall THIS being on the "one of the first things we'll do" agenda for Democrats, but they certainly didn't waste any time!

[hyphenate]

3. It's not really going to matter much

in the end. Hackers will always find a way of getting what they want, and since the 'net is international, stuff will always be available from the websites in other countries, as well as on P2P.

Years ago, the introduction of home video was vilified by the entertainment industry, and look at how much it now has enhanced the industry instead. It's no longer tape cassettes but DVDs, but the fact is, it never hurt the industry at all, and actually introduced ways for studios to make films and distribute them as "direct-to-DVD" items.

As we all know as well, the music "stores" online are making good money, and it's not like it's being sold hand over fist as pirated material. I'd hate to think what it will be like in 20 years, never mind even 10 years down the road. The entertainment industry has an over-inflated opinion of what it means to people, and believe me, I know this as a fact.

There are too many damned lawyers in the industry and not enough people who are true artists.

[FormerDittoHead]

5. I just don't want people ARRESTED for copying movies off of their TV...

As long as this is a CIVIL (you sue me) matter, fine, but the trend has been to CRIMINALIZE getting around DRM schemes, etc. even to make a personal backup.

IMO, it DOES matter....

[hyphenate]

10. They've already done that

to some extent. There was a ridiculous case some years ago (2?) where they were "cracking down" on music downloads and fined one girl the age of 9 or 10 over $2000 for downloading. As my mother would say, that's "shit for the birds" and as moronic as it comes.

Personally, I would like to see the Net Neutrality bill gain as much attention as possible. The people in congress, regardless of their political party, need to understand that the US isn't the owner of the Internet, and that they should leave it as alone as possible. No other country has interfered with the smooth operation of it like the US has, and I think that's a shame for what is supposed to be accessible to all, and for what is supposed to be the "freeest" nation of them all.

[madrchsod]

4. Feinstein has been a whore for these guys since file sharing

started cutting into their bloated cd prices and he hundreds of millions they lost on loser big named acts.

[Zachstar]

6. Seriously needs ACLU & EFF action.

Tho with something as serious as this I expect the EFF to quickly respond.

I don't vocal in politics much anymore but it will seriously suck if I have to be DRM infested to listen to Shoutcast or IceCast.

So please all that care contact congress and support measures to shut this down. Be sure to note that this is an attack on free speech and freedom of info.

RIAA music sucks btw...

[MH1]

7. This should kill Biden's prez hopes. n/t

[Zhade]

8. Kick

They'll never win this fight, though. Compkids are waaaaaaaaay smarter than these corporate idiots.

[MazeRat7]

9. This is getting out of control... RIAA and their lobbyist need to be taken down a few notches -nt

[FormerDittoHead]

11. HERE'S THE LINK TO EFF'S ADVOCACY PAGE ON P.E.R.F.O.R.M.

EFF's explanation and its position:
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/archives/004587.php

Action form:
https://secure.eff.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=221