For Immediate Release

The Federal Communications Commission is due to issue a notice tomorrow (April 8) indicating its intention to consider conducting a rulemaking on copy-protection policies for Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS). The policy, if adopted, would be the radio equivalent of the TV broadcast flag.

This afternoon, Public Knowledge and Consumers Union sent letters to FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell and the other Commissioners urging the Commission to drop the DARS issue from the notice of proposed rulemaking and to consider it, if at all, as a Notice of Inquiry.

"There is no reason for the FCC to create a broadcast flag for radio. The record companies have done nothing to establish that digital radio is a potential threat to record sales or a potential source of content for Internet file-sharers," said Mike Godwin, senior technology counsel for Public Knowledge. The text of the letter follows:

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. | Public Knowledge praises Governor Owens' decision to veto Colorado H.B. 1303 one of the "State-DMCA" bills promoted by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).

While enforcing the Copyright Act and preventing copyright infringement are worthy goals, Representative Berman's Peer-to-Peer Self-Help bill goes too far. Rep. Berman's bill gives the content industry great latitude to engage in harmful behavior that could affect lawful consumer activities, as well as unlawful behavior.