--- Endaf Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Why does the flag matter to us myth users ? (in terms of hardware > selection)
Very simply: If the Broadcast flag becomes law, all ATSC recording devices with Linux drivers will no longer be sold. Your hardware selection will GO AWAY. That's why it is important, even to Canadians. Yes, technically, some savvy Canadian company could start creating and shipping Linux ATSC cards, but they could not be sold in the U.S. Without a major market, it would be prohibitive to develop the ICs and card (remember, the current IC makers are U.S. based and would have to honor the ruling.) Of course, any ATSC recording hardware acquired NOW will never be limited by the Broadcast flag -- they are "grandfathered" under the Broadcast flag ruling. Which is why there's been such a run on cards in the U.S. The Broadcast flag provision that was just struck down was a "ruling" by our FCC, which is just an executive department and lacked the authority to create new law. The issue will now be brought to Congress where the MPAA will have to spread large amounts of money to buy enough "access" (i.e. votes) to pass their law. (I admit to being just a tiny bit cynical when it comes to copyright issues and our legislative bodies.) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
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