Comments on: Why the broadcast flag should go forward

MPAA chief Dan Glickman says that without proper protections, it will be increasingly difficult to show movie or baseball games on free TV.

Broadcast flag and all DRM useless

If the public cannot timeshift many shows will not get watched anymore, I work through primetime, and rely on being able to record the shows for when I have time to watch.

All DRM is fatally flawed, how do you allow content to be played without also allowing it to be copied. Bits are bits, either the DRM is easily bypassed, or gets copied and still allows playback on another machine. Why spend so much money on a flawed DRM system, when it will only prevent copies for a few hours. This money can be better spent creating truly original content that people will want to watch. The last 15 out of 20 new releases I have heard about are Remakes, sequil or prequil, or just plain retreading of the same story line.

It doesn't help when the content leaks out before the DRM is added. (I. E. SWIII ROTS)

I want my replay HDTV!

Exo

Bad Guy Number One

Dan Says: ". . .without the broadcast flag, that option [broadcast] will look less and less appealing. In the end, it will be the consumers who suffer the most if the broadcast flag is not mandated for the digital era."
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Well, let's hope it looks "less" appealing. Copyright law is now totally overbalanced to protect global IP monopoly interests. For Dan and his cohorts, the idea that consumers have rights is inconceivable.
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Ah. That reminds me of bad guy number one in the Princess Bride, and we all know what happened there.
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If there is one flag that needs to be burned, it is the broadcast flag.
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www.litenverden.org

[m.meister]

Most MPAA content is crap anyway

Most of the MPAA content is crap these days. I'm trying to recall
what MPAA movie was compelling for me to watch on TV in the
last 4-5 years. MPAA folks are focused on the wrong problem.

"Magic of Movies" -- you could start by avoiding the yet another
remake, or sequel. Of course, even assuming you decide to
broadcast a movie, it is loaded with so many commercials that
there is ZERO MAGIC.

I'm sorry -- the MPAA can take it's ball and go home. That's
certainly better than letting them usurp our fair use rights. And
who knows how stifling this will be for technological innovation.

This is about GREED, GREED and more GREED at the expense of
individual, honest consumers. The argument is not unlike the
copy-protection issue with RIAA (where they want to decide
when, where, and what you can copy the music you just paid
for). And frankly, I'm sick of it.

You guys aren't producing content that is worth putting up with
this kind of arrogance.

[aabcdefghij987654321]

taking your ball and going home

Your acting like a horse shoe fitter when the first cars started to roll off the assembly line.

It's funny that you mention the cable companies like they are the model to follow. Originally cable companies WERE the pirates, pirating and rebroadcasting to it's customers broadcast television. The industry kicked and screamed at first, but once it figured out how to generate revenue from this new medium the cable co "pirates" became a legitimate and accepted business model.

Threatening to take away content, especially in an advertiser driven business model of broadcast TV, would be cutting off your hose to spite your face.

IF there's less content to watch, there's less people watching it, the value of advertising on that content goes down.

Now if you/networks/producers were smart they'd realize their cheese is being moved, embrace this change, and find a way to capitalize on it.

*sigh*

To Mr. Glickman

In the words of the Emporor, on Revenge of the Sith, which
currently resides in my DVD player: "Gooooooooooood". Then
maybe the MPAA, and the stations will stop making B movie
crap. Even somehow IF the broadcast flag is implimented there
will ALWAYS be people like me that find SOME WAY around it, or
through it. Just like the pittyful, and illegal attempt at encrypting
DVDs to violate our fair use rights. Someone, if not me, will
break it. And there you are. Im going to give you a peice of
advice Glickman if you read this. And I quote myself, "If it can be
seen, it can be copied." And you will not, and cannot, stop it.
Reguardless of the number of senators you have in your pocket.
Not everyone lives in this stupid copywrite controlled country,
and for those like me, that do, %98 of us will continue to copy
what we want. You can't sue everyone Glickman. You don't have
near the money, or resources. Update your outdated business
model, and people will stop. Stop asking $20 for a DVD, and
make them available online for people to pay a few bucks to
download it, and make it available to ALL platforms, not just
windoze, but Linux, and Macs too. Personaly I use Slackware
Linux, and a Beige Mac running Panther. And make them un-
crippled (Digital Restriction Managed), so that people will
actually WANT to use your services. My 2 cents.

[Glenn Branch]

You're a hypocrite

I agree with you on fair use and the nearly inevitable course that breaks encryption and DRM processes. I don't want someone else deciding what I can do with my own property (DVD's CD's, software and hardware) and I take measures to have a lawful title to them.

You've bragged about your prowess as a thief (Revenge of the Sith is on your DVD), I sure don't see what moral high ground you've staked out. Fact is, you give credence to their arguments and reasoning.

Fine.

I appreciate your concern for job security but in the end I just have
to say it: Fine.

Stop producing content.

Let somebody else do it that will give me what I want and that is
what I will pay for.

What a lame bluff.

"If we don't get what we want, we're taking our ball and going home!"

I'm literally, no really, I'm *LAUGHING* over here. The notion that an industry based directly on a 1:1 relationship with its customers can claim it is going to stop delivering it's product to those customers (in a fit of pique) is beyond funny. It's a good thing Dan doesn't play cards, he'd be working overtime writing baloon legislation on capital hill to pay off his gambling debts. I *DARE* the MPAA to stop delivering movies to us. I know we'll survive.

The fact remains that in a republic (at least in an idealized republic), the laws are a popularity contest. ;) "We The People" get to make the rules, and if Dan doesn't like the rules, or his business model no long makes sense within the context of the society that hosts that model, then he will have to evolve, or his business will die. Now, the United States hasn't been an ideal republic since about 1776, and recently it has decended into a mire where corporations and their lobbies have more influence on the government than the people those governments are supposed to represent, but if Dan and his ilk at like trade orgs keep pressing the noses of the average American in the fact that the Government isn't pushing "The Dream" and in fact, corpratism reigns, he'll find himself punished deeply, and with a quickness.

Don't believe it? Screw around with America's TV. I dare you.

[booboo1243]

Dear Mr. Glickman

Bite me.

[jarober]

Fair Use

My reply is here:

http://www.cincomsmalltalk.com/blog/blogView?showComments=true&entry=3294732859

BFD

Take all your content off the market.

There are hundreds of thousands of talented people worldwide who will fill the void.

Welcome to the new age; the democratization (AKA the golden age of rampant capitalism). It happened with agricultural jobs, manufacturing jobs, back office jobs, and engineering jobs. Now it's going to happen to the content supply jobs.

Reality can sure be a b*tch when it's up in *your* face for a change, huh?

Disregard of due process in exchange for money

The consensus described, as is usual, although quoted as being achieved through a "thorough process involving all due parties", failed to mention any sort of involvement of any consumers. The only "affected parties" listed specificially were all producers and manufactures--who are also affected of course. But, at stake is a backlash of consumers who are tired business at usual. The market is the market--and over regulating it to favor manufactures ignores the fundamental principles of free market economies. If the MPAA, etc...is unwilling to broadcast movies without the protection of the broadcast flag, and there is a demand for such a service, then that service will be provided by the market. If there is no demand, then there is no need for any of this.

There is nothing ironic about the current technological systems that are currently in place for cable and satellite systems. That is exactly the point...the MPAA tried to circumvent due process by using a regulatory commission whose function is to regulate the distribution of air waves (but, not what is done by "receivers") to force the same propriatary standards on public air waves as exists on closed systems that are owned exculsively by private enterprises (like cable companies). There is no irony there. The cable companies own the cable. The broadcast frequencies are public, and although the FCC is given power to regulate that nothing gets transmitted through the airwaves that is against public moral interests (decency standards), the FCC should inherently be acting in public interests (consumer) and not according to industry business needs. If it is in the best interests of the consumer, then that needs to be dictated by congress, which has a more direct touch to the consumer (ie voters) and is directly responsible to them (theoretically speaking of course). Going through FCC shows that the MPAA is not concerned about what is good for the consumer, but is willing to use an "end justifies the means" policy to benifit their own bottom line.

My confusion

So here's where I get confused. You go to great lengths to sell your content to every person in every corner of every state in the U.S. Then when you accomplish your goal you complain that some of the people that you took money from are dishonest and are redistributing your material without permission. Mr Glickmann, that is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. You want your stuff to be protected, protect it. Don't hide behind govornment legislation. This is none of their buisness. Frankly right know everyone I know curses the name of the MPAA. You have most likely doomed your company in a very SCO fasion (ask the guy that maintains your computer he knows what i'm talking about.). You can't tell the public that we're all stupid criminals and then expect us to give you money. I think I'll buy a computer game rather than going to the movies this weekend.

Rhetoric

"Free" television is a misnomer. It's riddled with advertisements, which cost numerous people time and money. How much sympathy does one feel for the "struggling" movie industry when you pay $10/ticket for a movie, and are then met with 30 minutes of advertisement? Talk about disrespect for the customer's time. Where's my discount when a movie completely sucks? MPAA, don't talk to me about respect and values.

Digital copyright violation is a huge concern. It indeed is morally questionable to copy stuff over the internet. However, easy digital copying is here to stay, and the way of the future. Throwing lawsuits at your customers is basically declaring civil war. It's not a great idea.

Solution? GET WITH REALITY. Adopt an internet-friendly distribution technique. iTunes/eMusic style. Making enemies out of your customers only ACCELERATES the violation problem, when better time could be spent adopting to customer's desires: EASY access to QUALITY material. Remember, EASY and FREE are not exactly the same.

[jmccorm]

Take your ball and go home? Please.

If your argument boils down to, "If we don't get the broadcast flag, then we're going to take our ball and go home", then take your ball and go home.

I'd rather not have your content in the first place than to suffer through the problems created in my home by your copy protection on my television.

But you lie to us, "The broadcast flag does not inhibit copying, nor does it prevent redistribution of programming over a personal home network; it only restricts unauthorized redistribution of programming over the Internet and other digital networks." Baloney.

Today, if I want short-term recording of ptotected HDTV channels (HBO, Showtime, etc), I'm locked into very few choices. I've got to lock myself into the cable company's buggy DVR. Or I've got to shell out $1k for a TiVo that'll handle high definition.

And if I want to store a copy of it for myself long-term? I'm screwed. (I could get lucky if the 5C protection was set to allow a single copy. I'm never guaranteed that and I'm given no right to that.)

Really, with all the problems your copy protection creates, take your ball and go home. Please.

[jmccorm]

It wouldn't have worked anyways.

"Broadcast flag technology protects the content of our shows from redistribution over the Internet."

No, it doesn't. What it does is inconvenience millions of Americans.

Even with the protection of high definition signals on cable systems, you'll always have people who's implementation is broken, or has found a way around it. Millions of dollars of protection and millions of viewers inconvenienced, all wasted.

The price of protecting your content is too high, and more importantly, it doesn't even work.

Besides, in this particular instance, you're only talking about over-the-air broadcast television. Instead the movie, uninterrupted and in high definition on HBO, you're talking about TV that has been edited and with commercials spliced in. No real pirate would want to work with that kind of material.

The only people it could deter is Joe Nascar, average joes, and they're not your source of major movie releases on the Internet. And even then, you're taking away more than just their ability to send a copy over the Internet.

Why are you fighting for something so hard if it doesn't even work in the first place? Why are you saying you won't broadcast material in HDTV over the airwaves, when Star Wars Episode II was broadcast in high definition (720p HDTV) by a network just last week?

It seems that this is more about creating a regime and a climate of copy protection rather than anything else. And it still doesn't work.

[mythology8]

CEO of Motion Picture Assoc. missed his mark

Cry me a river, Mr. Glickman,
You immediately go for what you pray will work... fear! You state the real victim if this concept your hoping for doesn't go forward will mostly hurt the consumer - hogwash!
The 'consumer' won't be hurt because he'll share what he has instead of paying $50 for a night at the movies with his wife. In my case, $75 for a family of four kids and my wife and I. Merely popcorn and a beverage (shared both) and my wallet is empty.
Tom Cruise gets $20,000,000.00 to film one movie and you're worried about me? $5.00 for a large soda and you're worried about me?
Please - tell it to some idiot but not us smart consumers; we've got your number Sir! Beat It!

[ThatAdamGuy]

I honestly wonder...

Whether the MPAA and RIAA folks truly believe what they say publicly, or whether they simply parrot the party line, go home, and cry at the lies they feel compelled to tell?

Suspicions abound

If Mr. Glickman wanted to speak honestly and fully he would include the fact that there's also an option to say that content can NEVER be copied. This doesn't mean you can't redistriubute, but can't 'time shift'. It leads him and MPAA to be suspect and conclude that they never really got over the Betamax case and simply want to reclaim it with the broadcast flag. What's not said is more important than that is said, Mr. Glickman. (It also should be noted that the last two heads of the MPAA are both previously govenment 'employees'. That doesn't add to credibility either.)

[George Cole]

Betamax case

http://www.analogstereo.com/chevrolet_owners_manual.htm

[Random Arrow]

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Somehow, I think I should reply but I'm not sure how!

Anyhow, I live in the woods way back in the Vermont Mountains and I just got DSL. Way cool. Hello world!!!

Dennis

PS

Certainly not a newbie in the industry but a new participant here! Replies in binary, EBSIDC and ASCII are encouraged. You speak IBM 360 or RCA Spectra 70 assembly language? Welcome, let's write. Wasn't it cool to tell how a Cobol compile ran depending on how the various tapes spun? Then the 370 came out with all those Winchester drives and you had to learn all those new lights ro know what was happening, Especially when those idiot programmers took over the console and you wanted ro hit the red button). Of course there were always the truely weird guys, the original hackers were working .

So there I am. Busted the RCA 504, the 360 and 370, the Spectra 70. Didn't bother with the crap that was avaiable over the phone line. Other than the Univac 905 there wasn't much out there worth getting into and that was a hard machine to crack.I eventually did but told no-one.

My point is nothing is secure and all data should be encrypted as a standard method of storing files, not just transporting or sending them (which I view as a corporate legal liabiliy

Consultant services available in both Canada and the US if you feel you've been dealt a bad deal

Dennis

[Wayne R]

Broadcast Flag

Greetings,

What does "your story" have to do with the flag?

What is your background in broadcasting?