Gadgetopia

FCC Endorses Built-In Copy Controls: Why don’t I think this has a prayer of working?

“Tuesday’s vote orders makers of hardware that can receive digital television signals to build in recognition of broadcast “flags” that copy-protect content. When the flag-compliant device, such as a PC or DVD recorder, detects content containing a broadcast flag, it prevents its “indiscriminate” transmission over the Internet.

A broadcast flag is a single bit added to the data stream of broadcast DTV programming. By itself, the flag does not protect content. Instead, the FCC is mandating that digital devices check all incoming data for a flag.”

There’s no way people will hack their devices to ignore the flag. Just no way. People don’t do that.