[BC] Broadcast Flag Lowered

[Bill Sepmeier]

WASHINGTON - A U.S. appeals court on Friday threw out new federal rules 
requiring anti-piracy technology that would have limited how consumers could 
record and watch their favorite television programs in the future.

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia overturned 
rules by the
Federal Communications Commission that would have required certain video 
devices to have technology to prevent copying digital television programs. 
The court said the
FCC overstepped the authority given it by Congress.

The controversial rules were challenged by consumer groups, including 
library associations. They complained that the FCC requirement would drive 
up prices of digital television devices and prevent consumers from recording 
programs in ways permitted under copyright laws.

The technology, known as the broadcast flag, would have been required after 
July 1 for televisions equipped to receive new digital signals, many 
personal computers and VCR-type recording devices. It would permit 
entertainment companies to designate, or flag, programs to prevent viewers 
from copying shows or distributing them over the Internet.

Entertainment companies said the technology was needed to block viewers from 
recording shows and films and distributing them free online.

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