CEA's Shapiro Warns Against "Broadcast Flag" in Senate Hearing

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 24, 2006 - 10:03am.

Washington - The president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) testified on Tuesday before the Senate Commerce Committee that "broadcast flag" technology proposed by Hollywood -- that would prohibit unauthorized copies of digital media -- could diminish innovation and undermine Americans' traditional "fair use" rights. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has asked that Congress implement an "audio flag" that would mandate devices be made so they cannot record digital broadcasts from satellite and HD Radio services. "Ordinary consumers are not pirates, and recording lawfully acquired content for private personal use is not piracy," CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro testified. Both the CEA, which represents thousands of device makers, and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) are opposed to the proposed legislation. Also "adamantly opposed" to the idea of a federal broadcast flag is Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.), CNET News.com reported; however, Senate Commerce Committee chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) said it was "a subject that requires an act of Congress, in my opinion."
http://www.ce.org/Press/CurrentNews/press_release_detail.asp?id=10935
http://tinyurl.com/8s43g (CNET)