The government is proposing that devices (consumer electronics,
> computers, software) manufactured after a certain date respond to a
> copy-protection signal or watermark in a digital video stream, and
> pass along that signal when converting the video to analog. The same
> goes for analog video streams, to pass on the protection to the
> digital video outputs.
Very disturbing.
I don't think this is being proposed by the "government", but rather private industry.
I find this most objectionable as it prevents me from personally using recordings I have properly purchased and will force me to either buy duplicate copies I don't need or replacement playback equipment I neither want nor need.
For example, I make my own audio tapes using selections from various sources I have -- phonograph, other tapes, CDs. I play these tapes in the car, while I walk, or at work. This proposal would preclude me from doing so and I resent that.
Just out of curiosity, do radio stations have to pay a royalty to record companies when they play music? What are the rules, if any, for someone recording a song off the radio or a tape off of TV?
[public replies, please]