Twelve key lawmakers backed owners of broadcast programming in le...
Twelve key lawmakers backed owners of broadcast programming in letter to FCC on copyright protection technology required in cable set-top boxes. They criticized “5C” standard proposed by Digital Transmission Licensing Administrator (DTLA), saying it wouldn’t protect rights of broadcast…
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program owners enough to give them incentive to make programming available on digital channels. “The digital transition will slow considerably if the technology proposed by the DTLA is implemented,” group warned. They said cable and other subscription programming would be protected against copies being distributed over Internet, but over-air programming wouldn’t get same level of protection: “Program producers will be reluctant to license their programs for digital broadcast distribution in the face of widespread acts of infringement over the Internet… These producers will inevitably move their programming over to such channels where protections are clearly stronger… This is bad for both localism and consumers who depend on free, over-the-air television.” Signatories included House Commerce Committee Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.) and ranking Democrat Dingell (Mich.), Telecom Subcommittee Chmn. Upton (R- Mich.) and ranking Democrat Markey (Mass.), Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chmn. Stearns (R-Fla.) and ranking Democrat Towns (N.Y.), Rep. Pickering (R-Miss.), Senate Commerce Committee ranking Democrat Hollings (D-S.C.), Communications Subcommittee Chmn. Burns (R-Mont.) and Sens. Breaux (D-La.) and Boxer (D-Cal.).