Fergie's Tech Blog

U.S. Senate Panel Endorses Broadcast Flag

Anne Broache writes on C|Net News:

A legislative proposal to revive a controversial anti-copying system known as the "broadcast flag" cleared a U.S. Senate panel on Tuesday despite misgivings from some senators.

During a day of debate on a wide-ranging communications bill, members of the Senate Commerce Committee endorsed the idea of requiring digital TV receivers to restrict redistribution--particularly over the Internet--of over-the-air broadcasts. The measure would also allow for similar rules, or an "audio flag," for digital radio receivers.

Also at the committee meeting, chairman Ted Stevens, an Alaska Republican, postponed discussion on what has proven to be one of the thorniest provisions of the wide-ranging communications bill: Net neutrality. Senators plan to begin debate on that topic on Wednesday at 7 a.m. PDT, with votes on a number of amendments expected.

posted by Fergie @ 6/27/2006 05:48:00 PM