Perform Act to Restrict Recording, Broadcasting Rights

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060426-6679.html' target='_blank'>http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060426-6679.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"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."</i><br /><br />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. :)

[sundown]

*sigh* it seems to me either legislators are greedy and pocketing something out of this or they just plain don't understand technology. CAN-SPAM is fresh in my mind, too. I don't get any less spam than I did a year ago but everyone on Capitol Hill went home patting themselves on the back for eliminating spam. A year later, this feel good legislation had no teeth. This PERFORM act stuff probably has teeth but it sounds bad for consumers. If you don't understand the technology, you shouldn't be passing laws affecting it.

[bluemax]

It seems pretty simple to me. Basically, they are trying to put this web site out of business and anyone who might try to do the things this web site proposes in jail. It's not about rights! It's about money and nothing more!

I've said it before. The RIAA and MPAA are making more noise about this than we are. If we don't actively flood our "representatives" with personal and directed communications (telephone, postal mail) they will continue to do the media companies bidding like the good little bots they are.

I'm convinced they ignore e-mail. The only responses I've gotten were from phone and letters.

Bill B