Whats Conyers thinking, teaming up with Sensenbrenner on digital content

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20051218-5797.html

The Digital Transition Content Security Act of 2005 (PDF) is sponsored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) (PDF) and would close that pesky analog hole that poses such a dire threat to the survival of the music and movie industries. The bill was originally planned for introduction in early November, but was tabled after hearings held by the House Subcomittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

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Calling the ability to convert analog video content to a digital format a "significant technical weakness in content protection," H.R. 4569 would require all consumer electronics video devices manufactured more than 12 months after the DTCSA is passed to be able to detect and obey a "rights signaling system" that would be used to limit how content is viewed and used. That rights signaling system would consist of two DRM technologies, Video Encoded Invisible Light (VEIL) and Content Generation Management System—Analog (CGMS-A), which would be embedded in broadcasts and other analog video content.

Under the legislation, all devices sold in the US would fall under the auspices of the DTCSA: it would be illegal to "manufacture, import, offer to the public, provide or otherwise traffic" in such products. It's a dream-come-true for Hollywood, and in combination with a new broadcast flag legislation (not yet introduced) would strike a near-fatal blow to the long-established right of Fair Use.

According to Reps. Sensenbrenner and Conyers, the legislation is absolutely necessary because of the dire threat PCs and the Internet pose to the content-creation industry's very livelihood. Apparently, it's not nimble enough to keep up with advances in technology.


Pretty much if you want to record your snazzy High Definition TV and archive it, you'll have to play by their rules, which means NO COPYING. All I can say
is MEH.

They have to raise their millions for their elections somehow. It is quite a disappointment, though.

The entertainment industry would do just fine if they would start getting creative again and using the new technologies rather than fighting them.

This move is much like saying that transportation vehicles can't have motors in them in order to protect the horse and buggy industry. If that had been done, where would Conyers' district be???!!!

person who is trying to actually distribute copyrighted content, while normal Americans who just want to watch an episode of Family Guy from last week will not be able to.