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On August 8, the Federal Communications Commission formally began considering whether to adopt a "broadcast flag" standard for new digital-broadcast television programs. The "broadcast flag" is designed to allow content owners to protect their copyrights by marking digital-television programs so that new TVs, recorders, computers, and other devices will recognize the marks and limit copying. CDT, Public Knowledge, Consumers Union, and other groups have urged the FCC to consider the potential consumer implications of such a standard, balancing fair protections for creators of programs with potential impacts on reasonable copying for personal use and the continuing usefulness of electronic and computer equipment.
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The FCC raised five specific issues of concern to consumers, which we have restated below for your convenience. Use these questions Ð or simply file your own remarks - to tell the FCC in your own words what you think about the use and protection of TV programs in the digital age. For example, you can tell the FCC if it is important to you now and in the future to be able to view TV programming on a variety of devices in your home or office or at a friend's apartment. Or you can give your perspective on how creators, distributors, and owners of programs should best be protected in digital media. Feel free to share personal examples with the FCC of how digital technologies might give ordinary individuals exciting new channels for creativity, inquiry, and self-expression. Or offer any suggestions you have on criteria the FCC should apply in approving a broadcast flag - requirements, for example, to ensure interoperability or backward compatibility.
In our experience, comments are most effective when they recognize the underlying policy issues in play. Piracy of digital works is a serious problem and needs to be addressed. At the same time, a focus on copy protection alone can overlook the publicÕs interest in the future direction of technology and the many legal uses law-abiding consumers have found for new digital content. We encourage you to use this FCC rule-making to tell the FCC that a growing number of informed consumers appreciate and want to preserve the user-controlled nature of digital technologies, consistent with fair protections for copyrights.
A few simple points of advice: Flames don't work. Please note that comments to the FCC will not be anonymous. Fields with an asterisk are required.
We'll create an automatic header with the proper official's name and the docket number. Note that the FCC's comment process is public, so your comments will become public record. A copy of your letter will also be sent to CDT so that we can make sure that your letter was received by FCC and to eventually compile the best comments. CDT will not disclose your name without contacting you and getting your express permission.
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