Digital Home Thoughts: Perform Act to Restrict Recording, Broadcasting Rights

"Yet another bill aimed at restricting the rights of entertainment consumers was introduced to the US Senate yesterday. Dubbed the PERFORM Act ("Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music Act of 2006") and sponsored by the cross-party team of Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and majority leader Bill Frist (R-TN), the proposed changes to the Copyright Act would force the use of protected formats for all streaming media services, whether online, on cable, or through satellite radio and TV. Not surprisingly, the EFF and the Home Recording Rights Coalition (HRRC) have already voiced their opposition to the measure."

Wow, some of the rules are draconian. Basically, you would be able to make automated sound recordings, but only based on "specific programs, time periods, or channels as selected by or for the user," but not on "specific sound recordings, albums, or artists." Once recorded, it would be illegal to process the recorded data in order to extract separate songs for later use. Further, none of the recorded material can be put on removable media or other devices, and only on a secure in-home network. In order to be compliant, eventually, I just feel that all multimedia users will have to have CS and law degrees just to figure it all out. :)