Digital Home Thoughts: Video & Audio Flag Proposals Could Harm Innovation

"The so-called audio flag could diminish innovation and undermine the right of Americans to enjoy products for noncommercial purposes within their private homes, said Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) President and CEO Gary Shapiro today. Shapiro first discussed the broadcast video flag, urging the Committee, to the extent it opts to move forward with legislation, to focus on the original narrow intent of the flag. "We are concerned by content industry proposals circulated in this chamber that would go well beyond the 'mass indiscriminate redistribution' standard originally set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the broadcast flag, and would constrain the use of networks inside the home," said Shapiro."



Shapiro made his comments as he testified before a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the broadcast and audio flags. What I agree with more is Shapiro's strong concerns about attempts by the RIAA to establish an "audio flag" for HD Radio and satellite radio broadcasts. It seems quite clear that while the flags are being sold as something that will only help, its real purpose appears to want to severely limit consumer use of HD Radio and satellite radio by stopping us from recording free over-the-air radio in our private homes for later enjoyment. I wonder what the outcome of the senate hearing is going to be.